Which of the following represents a core principle of FOI laws?

• A. Confidentiality
• B. Transparency
• C. Efficiency
• D. Discretion

Answer: (B)

The principle of transparency is foundational to Freedom of Information (FOI) laws. These laws are designed to promote openness and accountability within government institutions, ensuring that citizens have the right to access information about governmental actions and decisions. This transparency facilitates informed public participation in democratic processes and helps to guard against corruption and abuses of power.

By allowing access to governmental records and documents, FOI laws empower individuals to understand how decisions are made and to hold authorities accountable for their actions. In this way, transparency serves as a key mechanism in fostering trust between the government and its citizens, highlighting the importance of open communication in a functioning democracy.

While confidentiality, efficiency, and discretion may play roles in the application of FOI laws, they do not embody the core objective of promoting open access to information in the same way that transparency does.