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

4May 2011

El Proyecto Chipre Abierto llama al Ayuntamiento de Pegeia a respetar el derecho de acceso a información medioambiental

4 Mayo 2011, Nicosia/Madrid: Esta petición llega a raiz de que a Linda Leblanc, miembro de la corporación local de Pegeia, le fuese denegado el acceso a una copia de los permisos de construcción de un nuevo y polémico desarrollo urbanístico en aquella zona costera. De acuerdo a la información recibida, existen fallos sistemáticos por parte del Ayuntamiento de Pegeia

19Abr 2011

data retention not effective

Insufficient info undermines EU claims on value of data retention 18 EU states fail to provide full statistics on use of personal data in fighting crime 18 April 2011, Madrid – There are serious risks associated with the massive invasion of personal privacy required by the EU’s 2006 Data Retention Directive whilst there is no strong evidence that is an

5Abr 2011

petition on biometrics

Council of Europe urged to make use of biometric data more transparent 31 March 2011 – In response to concerns that European governments are collecting increasing amounts of biometric data from members of the public, Access Info Europe has joined an international civil society alliance in calling on the Council of Europe to collect and publish information about the legal

31Mar 2011

Your feedback

Feedback One of the ways in which Access Info can measure the impact it is having is through your responses to our emails. Below you will find some reactions to our work on the European Union, particularly the successful Court Case against the Council of the EU, and The Secret State of EU Transparency Reforms report. "It surprises us time

22Mar 2011

Court Ruling EU Council Documents

General Court of the European Union rules refusal illegitimate Access Info wins case against Council on open legislative procedure 22 March 2011: The General Court of the European Union today found that the Council of the EU wrongly refused to disclose the identity of countries taking positions on reform of the EU’s access to documents rules. Ruling on an application

20Mar 2011

Secret State EU Transparency

The Secret State of EU Transparency Reforms 16 of 27 Member States refuse to provide information on EU transparency negotiations Brussels/Madrid, Monday 21 March 2011: European citizens can’t find out from either Brussels or from national governments which countries are lobbying against EU transparency, according to a report launched by the NGO Access Info Europe this week. The report is