Planned German transparency law reform restricts media and NGO access to government documents (heise.de)

• Coalition decision on July 2, 2026: IFG reform restricts requests to natural persons with 'legitimate interest'
• Media and NGOs as legal entities lose the right to file requests
• Fees raised to cost-recovery level; civil servant names to be redacted

"The German government is planning a reform of the Freedom of Information Act (IFG) that would drastically limit access to administrative documents. Only natural persons with a 'legitimate interest' would be entitled to information, excluding legal entities such as media outlets and NGOs. Higher fees and mandatory redaction of civil servant names are also proposed. Critics warn of a severe blow to press freedom and an increased risk of corruption."