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

10Abr 2012

Renewed threat on access to EU documents

Renewed Threat on Access to EU Documents – EU Transparency Campaign 10 April 2012 – After a series of inter-governmental negotiations, fears that Member States are using the reform of the EU access to documents regulation as an opportunity to add new exceptions and to weaken the right of access to EU document have recently been renewed by a Council

9Abr 2012

One day left to call for changes to Spain’s draft transparency law!

Madrid, 9 April 2012 – Spanish citizens have until tomorrow, Tuesday 10 April, to make comments on the draft transparency law and to tell the government that they want a much stronger protection of the right of access to information. The draft law had numerous weaknesses, including a very limited definition of information, a limited scope of bodies to which

3Abr 2012

Comments submmitted in Consultation on Spain’s draft Access to Information Law

Madrid, 3 April 2012 – Access Info today published recommended submissions for the public consultation on Spain’s draft Access to Information law. These are in addition to a formal submission which will be made by the over 50 NGOs members of the Coalición Pro Acceso. The very short consultation ends on Tuesday 10 April. Access Info’s position is that the

3Abr 2012

Cómo hacer un registro más transparente

Bruselas, 3 de abril de 2012 – Miembros del Grupo de Contacto de la Sociedad Civil de la UE y de ALTER-EU han decidido adoptar un estándar de transparencia más alto que los inconsistentes e insuficientes requisitos de inscripción en el Registro de Transparencia Las directrices para el registro constituyen un ejemplo constructivo de cómo podría mejorarse fácilmente el Registro

28Mar 2012

20 Demands Campaign: Update

20 Demands on the future of access to EU documents: Campaign Update Madrid, 25 March 2012 – Since the 20 demands on the future of the EU access to documents Regulation were launched for civil society sign-on on 7 March 2012, 3 European Information Commissioners, 67 Non-governmental organisations and 6 Civil Society Coalitions representing 249 organisations have joined the campaign.

26Mar 2012

Draft Spanish access to information law contains excessive exceptions and falls below international standards

Madrid, 26 March 2012 – The Spanish government today opened for public consultation the draft “Law on Transparency, Access to Public Information, and Good Governance”. Specialist NGO Access Info Europe welcomed the law and unprecedented consultation but noted that serious improvements are needed to bring the law into line with international standards, in particular by revising the definition of information