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

4Jul 2013

El Tribunal Europeo de Derechos Humanos reafirma el carácter fundamental del derecho de acceso la información

Madrid, 4 de julio de 2013- Mientras en España los grandes partidos dan por cerrado el debate y niegan el carácter fundamental del derecho de acceso a la información, el Tribunal Europeo de Derechos Humanos vuelve a sentenciar lo contrario afirmando que “el derecho de acceso a la información de documentos públicos es un derecho humano fundamental que debería aplicarse

2Jul 2013

Access Info signs letter in support of independent EU Ombudsman

Madrid, 2 July 2013 – Today, a group of European civil society organisations, concerned by the nomination of MEPs in the EU Ombudsman election, sent a letter to MEPs calling on them to vote for an impartial and independent Ombudsman during the July plenary session. The election of the EU Ombudsman is being fought by 6 candidates; Alex Brenninkmeijer (The

27Jun 2013

ECHR ruling Youth Initiative NGO Serbia

Fundamental right of access to information strengthened by ECHR ruling Madrid, 27 June 2013 – Access Info Europe welcomes the recent decision by the European Court of Human Rights which further strengthens the right of access to information held by public bodies. A summary of the ruling The ECHR ruled on the case between ‘Youth Initiative for Human Rights vs.

20Jun 2013

Nuevo informe urge el rescate del ineficiente registro de lobby de la UE

Bruselas, 20 de junio 2013 — El registro de lobby de la Comisión Europea y el Parlamento cumple dos años esta semana y un nuevo informe de Alianza para la Transparencia del Lobby y una Regulación Ética (ALTER-EU) muestra que el registro voluntario sigue fallando a la hora de conseguir una participación suficiente de los grupos de presión en el registro

17Jun 2013

Ley de Transparencia francesa: es hora de regular el lobby

Madrid/Paris, 17 de junio de 2013 – Access Info se ha unido a 10 organizaciones de la sociedad civil de todo el mundo para pedir al parlamento francés que adopte la legislación que introduciría un registro obligatorio de lobbies. La petición de una mejor regulación del lobby viene por las consideraciones del parlamento francés (Assemblée Nationale) de un borrador de