The European Union’s increasing opacity threatens the fundamental rights of its citizens, as access to official documents becomes more restricted. This trend raises concerns about accountability and public trust in EU institutions.

Despite the European Union’s Charter of Fundamental Rights guaranteeing citizens access to institutional documents, recent years have seen a troubling rise in secrecy. Journalists, researchers, and civil society members report significant barriers to obtaining information, undermining the EU’s commitment to transparency.

Finland, which once championed open government upon joining the EU, has notably become less proactive in advocating for transparency. The European Commission, under Ursula von der Leyen’s leadership, has implemented new rules that limit what constitutes an official document, allowing for the withholding of information even after access requests are made.

This growing culture of secrecy not only hampers the ability to monitor EU actions, particularly regarding major technology firms, but also delays critical information dissemination. Journalists face prolonged waits for responses to information requests, which can stifle reporting and ultimately deprive EU citizens of their right to be informed about decision-making processes.