Principle_of_public_access_to_official_records
Principle of public access to official records
Idea that citizens should have the right to take part in public records and court proceedings
The principle of public access to official records in Scandinavia is the principle that everyone should have the right to take part in non-classified public records and the right to attend court proceedings. The principle of public access to official documents also means that government officials and other central and local government employees are free to divulge information.[1]
Similar laws exist in over 70 countries, whereas 19 countries' legislation applies to information held by the government as well as private bodies, whereas the others apply to government information only.[2]