What does "transparency" mean in relation to FOI principles?

In the context of FOI (Freedom of Information) principles, "transparency" refers to open governance where information is freely available and accessible to the public. This principle emphasizes that individuals have the right to access information held by public authorities, fostering accountability and informed citizen participation. Transparency is essential for building trust between the government and the public, as it allows citizens to scrutinize government activities, decisions, and expenditures, thereby ensuring that public entities operate openly and are held accountable for their actions.

This stands in contrast to the other options, which describe ideas that do not align with the core intent of FOI principles. Keeping information secret undermines transparency, while private communications and financial disclosures serve different purposes and do not embody the broader principle of making information readily accessible to the public to promote open governance.