This article was first published in the May 2017 issue of Delano magazine. Be the first to read Delano articles on paper before they’re posted online, plus read exclusive features and interviews that only appear in the print edition, by subscribing online. Maison Moderne

This article was first published in the May 2017 issue of Delano magazine. Be the first to read Delano articles on paper before they’re posted online, plus read exclusive features and interviews that only appear in the print edition, by subscribing online. Maison Moderne

My colleague, Martine Huberty, wanted to know how many letters, emails and messages via Facebook and Twitter the prime minister receives.

So she asked Xavier Bettel’s office. Twice. A spokesman said the information was considered confidential and not tracked, so the government would not provide the figures.

Luxembourg’s press law guarantees the right of journalists to seek out and publish information that is in the public interest. Yet it does not require the government to provide any details to the press, nor to citizens.

Huberty was researching political engagement in the grand duchy, not impropriety or a cover-up. Perhaps these were not the most vital facts. But this immediately reminded me that Luxembourg still does not have a “freedom of information” act.

Sweden passed the first such rules (sometimes known as “access to information” or “open records” acts) in 1766. In the EU today, only Cyprus and Luxembourg have no formal requirements, according to the European University Institute’s Robert Schuman Centre.

Luxembourg governments since 1999 have floated such a law. Bettel, who is also the communications and media minister, introduced legislation to parliament in May 2015 that would establish the general right of the public to access administrative documents, at both national and local levels of government. Several carve-outs (for privacy, security, protecting intellectual property, and so on) have been included and are still the subject of some debate.

However, bill 6810 has cleared most legislative hurdles and could potentially come up for a vote soon. One can argue the merits of this particular bill, but surely the principle of some guarantees is better than none.

Luxembourg was ranked 15th out of 181 territories in the 2016 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders, an advocacy group. That was an improvement of four places compared to the 2015 index, but the grand duchy took a blow following the prosecution of a journalist in the LuxLeaks case (the country was ranked 4th between 2012 and 2014).

Not that I’m super competitive, but why can’t the country break back into the top ten? Here’s hoping parliament helps make that happen sooner rather than later.

Discuss freedom of information with Aaron Grunwald on Twitter