Editing Basic Laws of Sweden (section)

===Principle of Public Access===<!-- This section is linked from [[Freedom of information legislation]] -->
In the 18th century, after over 40 years of mixed experiences with parliamentarism, [[Freedom of information laws by country|public access to public documents]] was one of the main issues with the Freedom of the Press Act of 1766. Although the novelty was put out of order 1772–1809, it has since remained central in the Swedish mindset, seen as a forceful means against [[political corruption|corruption]] and government agencies' unequal treatment of the citizens, increasing the perceived legitimacy of (local and central) government and [[politician]]s. The Principle of Public Access ({{langx|sv|Offentlighetsprincipen}}), as the collection of rules is commonly referred to, provides that all information and documents created or received by a "public authority" (local or central government, and all publicly operated establishments) must be available to all members of the public. It also states that all public authorities must provide information promptly (''skyndsamt'') upon request.

Exemptions from the right to access to public documents are defined in the Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act (''Offentlighets- och sekretesslagen'')<ref>[http://www.riksdagen.se/webbnav/index.aspx?nid=3911&bet=2009:400 Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act] at the Riksdag (in Swedish)</ref> which succeeded the Secrecy Act (''Sekretesslagen'')<ref>[http://www.riksdagen.se/webbnav/index.aspx?nid=3911&bet=1980:100 Secrecy Act] (repealed) by the Riksdag (in Swedish)</ref> in 2009. The act details which information government agencies can keep secret, under what circumstances, and towards whom. According to the Chapter 2, Article 2 of the Freedom of the Press Act: "The right of access to official documents may be restricted only if restriction is necessary having regard to
* the security of the Realm or its relations with a foreign state or an international organization;
* the central finance policy, monetary policy, or foreign exchange policy of the Realm;
* the inspection, control or other supervisory activities of a public authority;
* the interest of preventing or prosecuting crime;
* the public economic interest;
* the protection of the personal integrity or economic conditions of private subjects;
* the preservation of animal or plant species."
This list is exhaustive and the Parliament may not legislate about restrictions outside the scope of this list, and any restrictions have to be legislated into the Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act previously mentioned.

Secrecy is limited to a maximum time of 70 years (when relating to individuals that is 70 years after the person's death).