Információszabadság

Információszabadság, or freedom of information, is the right of individuals and legal entities to access information held by public bodies and to obtain information of public interest. It aims to promote transparency, accountability, and informed civic participation.

In Hungary, the right is governed primarily by Act CXII of 2011 on the Right of Informational Self-Determination and Freedom of Information (Infotv.). The Constitution and subsequent laws establish the framework, while the National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (NAIH) supervises compliance, handles complaints, and enforces remedies.

Under Infotv., public bodies must respond to information requests promptly and within statutory deadlines; information of public interest should be published proactively on official websites; requests may be granted in full or with redactions; where information cannot be disclosed, a lawful refusal must be issued with justification. Requesters may inspect, copy, or receive copies of records.

Exemptions include personal data protected by privacy, state secrets and defense, confidential business information, deliberations of public bodies, and information the disclosure of which would hinder investigations or national security. Denied or partially disclosed information can be challenged by filing a complaint with the supervisory authority or seeking judicial review.

Információszabadság operates within the broader European Union framework for public access to documents and personal data protection, aligning with EU directives and Hungary's constitutional guarantees of transparency and privacy.