Free Access to Information
Standard 5. Exceptions to free access to information are clearly formulated in law and not extensive, while a public interest override and harm test are envisaged and applied
Indicator 3. A harm test applies to all exceptions, so that it is only where disclosure poses a risk of actual harm to a protected interest that it may be refused

Indicator 3. A harm test applies to all exceptions, so that it is only where disclosure poses a risk of actual harm to a protected interest that it may be refused

The competent public body shall publish the requested information, notwithstanding the established exception, if it is justified by the public interest and take into account any benefit and any harm that may result from it

Summary

As for the application of a harm test, which is used so that only where disclosure poses a risk of actual harm to a protected interest access can be refused, some form of harm test is envisaged in the legislations of all countries.

Current state of play

The chart below shows the score of each indicator. You may change the sorting order by clicking on Ascending or Descending. You may also filter the data by clicking on the country name.

Average
Highest Score

Average, 2021

ALB BIH KOS MNE MKD