Empoderando al periodismo2021-08-30T12:55:14+02:00

EMPODERANDO AL PERIODISMO A TRAVÉS DEL DERECHO DE ACCESO A LA INFORMACIÓN

EL MANUAL ‘LEGAL LEAKS’ AYUDA A PERIODISTAS A OBTENER 
INFORMACIÓN USANDO LAS LEYES DE ACCESO A LA INFORMACIÓN

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

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

ÚLTIMAS NOTICIAS SOBRE EMPODERANDO AL PERIODISMO

18Feb 2014

Country case study: Georgia

Is media ownership transparent? In law YES FOR BROADCAST MEDIA ONLY In practice NO IN LAW According to the law, it is possible to finds out who owns broadcast media only in Georgia through information reported to the media authority, Georgian National Communications Council (GNCC), and directly to the public. As a result of amendments to the Law on Broadcasting

17Feb 2014

Country case study: Croatia

Is media ownership transparent? In law YES In practice NO IN LAW According to amendments to the Media Law (2011) and the Electronic Media Law (2012), it is possible to finds out who owns print, broadcast and online media in Croatia through information reported to: the relevant media authorities; directly to the public; or to corporate /trade registers. Through the

16Feb 2014

Country case study: Austria

Is media ownership transparent? In law YES In practice YES IN LAW According Media Law, as amended in 2011, it is possible to finds out who owns print, online and broadcast media through information reported directly to the public. All media must disclose directly to the public enough information for their real owners to be identified, including information on all

5Feb 2014

Events during 2014

Special Seminar on Transparency of Media Ownership 3 October 2014, Brussels, Belgium Helen Darbishire took part in a special seminar hosted by the European Commission on media ownership transparency, pluralism and freedom that was live-streamed to facilitate virtual participation. As part of the event, Access Info Europe and Open Society Programme on Independent Journalism published new research on media ownership

4Feb 2014

La UE hace un llamamiento a España para que fortalezca su Ley de Transparencia

Madrid, 4 de febrero de 2014 – Access Info Europe da hoy la bienvenida al primer informe sobre la corrupción en España desarrollado por la Unión Europea. Este informe recomienda implementar medidas para fortalecer la Ley de Transparencia española adoptada en diciembre de 2013, y alinearla así con las medidas por las que la sociedad civil ha estado haciendo campaña.