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Empowering Journalism2021-08-30T12:18:13+02:00

EMPOWERING JOURNALISM THROUGH
THE RIGHT OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION

THE LEGAL LEAKS TOOLKIT HELPS JOURNALISTS OBTAIN
INFORMATION USING ACCESS TO INFORMATION LAWS

Why is the right of access to information important for journalism?

Journalists play a central role in initiating and stimulating public debates, but face constant challenges in accessing information from public bodies, particularly when that information relates to sensitive issues such as corruption, organised crime, environmental contamination, or relationships with business and lobby groups. The right of access to information and access to information laws have become a crucial tool in this context. They guarantee journalists access to information held by public bodies for their stories and investigations, enabling them to exercise their role as public watchdogs in our democracies.

A Guide for Journalists on How to Access Information

The Legal Leaks Toolkit, developed by Access Info Europe and n-ost, helps journalists access information using Access to Information laws. The Toolkit is available in a generic international version and can be adapted to the legal framework of any country. The existing national versions, translated into local languages, are available below. You can also read more below about our training programme and about how to contact
the Legal Leaks Help Desk.

Why do media experts think access to information is important?

Journalists, activists, and media experts speak about the importance of access to information in their daily work. Watch all interviews here!

That little detail in the relationship between journalists and sources, that little one, is so important that could change the way in which we tell stories.
Juan Luis Sánchez, Deputy Director of eldiario.es

It is extremely important that there is this mechanism that you can use as a journalist to say “Hang on a minute, you need to give us this, because we have a right to know”.
Ana Petruševa, Managing Editor, Balkan Insight, BIRN Country Director Macedonia
It’s a great way to get stories, it’s a great way to fin out what governments in particular are doing, it’s a great way to find out where money goes, it’s a great way to prove accountability.
Gavin Sheridan, Investigative Journalist and FOI Expert

The right of access to information is very important for the journalists’ work; it’s important for everyday work, but it’s even more important for investigations.
Alexander Kashumov, Head of the Legal Team; Access to Information Programme Bulgaria
Journalism is about investigation, it’s about asking questions; but it’s about documents as well, as a proof for questions, as a proof for answers
Christian Mihr, Executive Director of Reporters Without Borders Germany

Basically, I need access to information to do my job as someone who is supposed to ensure the accountability of politicians, of public officials.
Marcus Hametner, Co-Founder, Forum Informationsfreiheit Austria

The Legal Leaks Project

Access Info Europe and n-ost are working to empower journalists through the exercise of their right of access to information.

We promote techniques by which journalists can protect the security of their data and of confidential sources of information.

Learn more about the project at:
http://www.legalleaks.info/

Trainings for Journalists

The Legal Leaks training empowers journalists to use their national freedom of information laws as a regular part of their work.

Since 2010 we have conducted trainings in Berlin, Budapest, Zagreb, Belgrade, Rome, Tirana, Milan,
and more…

Read about our recent partnership with UNESCO, and check for updates and new collaborations here!

Need help?

The Legal Leaks team has lawyers and experts in the right of access to information ready to help you with your access to information requests.

If you have submitted a request for information and it has been ignored or denied, we’d like to hear about it.

We will try to find a way to help you;
do not hesitate to contact us!

Cover photo: European Parliament via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

EMPOWERING JOURNALISM LATEST NEWS

15Apr 2015

Legal Leaks training in Ankara: Empowering Turkish journalists to access information from European institutions and public bodies in Europe

This article was originally published by UNESCO. What are the grants received from the European Union (EU) in Turkey? Who are the beneficiaries? How were they decided? And, who lobbied in those decisions? Accessing this type of information can be a source of interesting and original stories for journalists. European Union institutions have information about each and every country, not