摘要：The article discusses the right of public authorities not to disclose information that is critical to society, especially when it comes to events with significant consequences affecting the lives, health and well-being of large numbers of people. The significance of the so-called overriding public interest is substantiated. The principle of overriding public interest is the grading of public benefits and losses in different situations in a way that overcomes the possible political, judicial and moral impasse in deciding which of two or more inconsistent or conflicting activities should be preferred. At present, the principle of overriding public interest is enshrined primarily in the legislation on access to information of a number of European countries. But its lack of conceptual clarity is an important challenge not only to the social sciences such as political science, economics and law, but also to the humanities such as philosophy and ethics.
关键词：events with significant consequences;risk;danger;overriding public interest;access to information
