Swedish principle of openness

The Swedish principle of openness is expressed in various ways:

• anyone may read the general documentation of the authorities
• officials and others working for the state or municipalities are entitled to report on what they know to outsiders (freedom of expression for officials et al.)
• officials also have special opportunities to provide the mass media with information and documents (freedom for officials et al. to provide information and documents)
• court documents are public, as are the meetings of decision-making parishes

Publication of documents

In principle, everyone - both Swedish citizens and foreigners - is entitled to read the documents held by the authorities. However, this entitlement is restricted in two ways:

• The general public is only entitled to read documents which are designated as general documents.
• Some general documents are confidential.

What is a general document?

A document is general if it's held by an authority and is considered to have been received there or compiled there in accordance with special rules. This document may be an ordinary hard-copy document, but equally it could be a report which can be read, listened to or otherwise perceived using a technical aid. If you want to view a general document, you have to consult the authority in question.

Which documents can be kept confidential?

General documents may be kept confidential in certain cases, namely where they protect the following interests:

• national security or its relationship with another state or international organisation
• national central finance policy, monetary policy or currency policy
• the operations of authorities for inspection, checking or other supervision
• the interests of crime prevention or prosecution
• the economic interests of the general public
• protection of the personal or financial relationships of individuals
• the interests of animal or plant species protection

If information subject to confidentiality is to be submitted or cited in a court action, the court in general must keep the negotiations within closed doors. In addition, hearings involving anyone who is under 15 or suffers from mental impairment must be kept within closed doors.