This report has been prepared to analyze how the right to freedom of information (FoI) functions in practice in Türkiye and to assess the quality of responses provided by public institutions to FoI requests. The report is based on an analysis of 423 requests recorded on the IPI Freedom of Information Platform and examines both the legal framework and the key challenges encountered in practice.
According to the platform’s data, between January 2015 and March 2026, 49% of requests received a response, 12% received partial responses (only some questions were answered), 27% were rejected, and 12% received no response at all. Of the responses classified as “positive,” 55% did not actually provide the requested information.
These findings indicate that public institutions often respond to FoI requests in a technical sense, but a significant portion of these responses fail to include the requested information. The arbitrary use of exceptions such as “requires separate or special effort,” “commercial secret,” and “confidential information” significantly restricts access to data of public interest.
The data also reveals major discrepancies between institutions. While some respond regularly and comprehensively, others reject or ignore a large portion of requests. Despite being legally recognized in Türkiye, freedom of information faces significant structural barriers in practice. This poses a critical problem for transparency, accountability, and democratic oversight in public administration.