The Government proposes to amend the Freedom of Information Act "in a manner calculated to erode openness and accountability in our political system", the National Newspapers of Ireland (NNI) said last night.
The NNI expressed its "deep concern" at the proposed changes which would "deny the public and the media access to information which is vital to the operation of a healthy democracy.
"The move marks a reversion to a culture of secrecy which is not appropriate to the 21st century, and which most people in this society felt we had long ago outgrown. That culture produced a range of problems for which the State is now paying the price," the NNI said in a statement.
The NNI represents the publishers of 11 national titles.
The fact that the Government decision was taken "without any form of consultation" added to the sense of unease which is being felt in many quarters.
"If some senior civil servants have genuine problems about the operation of the Act these issues should be been teased out in a careful and considered way in an Oireachtas committee."
The NNI said the Information Commissioner, Mr Kevin Murphy, "has gone on the record in the past as saying that the provision of the FOI Act, as it stands, were more than sufficient to protect all the essential interests of government and that nothing in the operation of the legislation suggested otherwise.
"If the Government goes ahead the result will be that in future the public will have no means of knowing when the Cabinet acted against official advice.
"The access to official information should not be a privilege afforded by government. It is a fundamental right in a modern, liberal democracy."
The NNI said the repeal of sections of the Act would only "add to public cynicism about politics and politicians, which has already led to falling numbers voting and becoming involved in political activity.
"The Government should reconsider its ill-judged attempt to curtail the legislation."