Tiedonpyynnöistä

Tiedonpyynnöistä is a Finnish term that translates to "requests for information" or "information requests" in English. It refers to the process by which individuals or organizations can legally request access to documents and data held by public authorities. This right is primarily governed by Finnish legislation, most notably the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (Julkisuuslaki).

The purpose of tiedonpyynnöt is to promote transparency and accountability in public administration. By allowing citizens to access official documents, the system ensures that government operations are conducted openly and that decisions can be scrutinized. This fosters trust between the public and the authorities.

Public authorities in Finland are generally obligated to provide access to their documents unless there is a specific legal reason to withhold them. Such reasons might include the protection of national security, privacy of individuals, or commercial confidentiality. When a tiedonpyyntö is made, the authority must respond within a reasonable timeframe, typically within two weeks, though extensions are possible under certain circumstances.

If an authority denies a tiedonpyyntö, they must provide a reasoned justification for their decision. The requester then has the right to appeal the decision, usually to an administrative court or a specific supervisory authority. The process of making a tiedonpyyntö is generally straightforward and does not require a specific legal background.