What kind of information might be considered 'exempt' from public access?

Information that is considered 'exempt' from public access typically includes details that are critical to maintaining national security or that involve commercially sensitive information. This type of information is restricted from public disclosure to protect the interests of the state and private entities. For example, revealing national security interests could jeopardize a country's safety and operations, while disclosing commercially sensitive details might harm the competitive advantage of a business and its ability to operate effectively in the marketplace.

Such exemptions are generally put in place to ensure that public access does not compromise important governmental functions or negatively impact economic well-being. In contrast, information about meeting attendance, council member salaries, and general community feedback tends to fall under public information that should be accessible to promote transparency and accountability in governance.