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?
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.
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».
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.
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.
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
Basically, I need access to information to do my job as someone who is supposed to ensure the accountability of politicians, of public officials.
Cover photo: European Parliament via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
ÚLTIMAS NOTICIAS SOBRE EMPODERANDO AL PERIODISMO
Request Process in Czech Republic
Summary: Access to the register is improved, but names of shareholders are not accessible. Request sent to Ministry of Justice Ministry of Industry and Business Outcome of request Ministry of Justice: Partial Information, following a series of appealsMinistry of Industry and Business: Information refused. This decision is currently under appeal before the Czech Administrative Court. Time taken to respond Ministry
Request Process in Macedonia
Summary: Institutions Can Refuse Free Access to Information to Protect Their Commercial Interests Request sent to Central Register of Macedonia (Click here) Outcome of request Information refused. Time taken to respond 5 working days to receive a postal response. However, they phoned us same day we sent the request. (Deadline is 30 calendar days) Reason for refusal Must pay to
Request Process in Liechtenstein
Summary: The Information Act Is Subordinate to the Company Register Laws Request sent to Ministry of Justice - Commercial Register Division (Click here) Outcome of request Information refused. Time taken to respond 35 days (deadline is 14 calendar days) Reason for refusal Only need to answer requests for individual records. Another law overrides FOI law. Must pay for access.
Request Process in Kosovo
Summary: Oral Refusal Followed By Administrative Silence Request sent to Agency for Business Registration (Click here) Outcome of request Administrative Silence Time taken to respond N/A (Deadline is of 15 working days) Reason for refusal N/A On 5 August 2013, a request for access to the full company register database was sent to the Agency for Business Registration by
Request Process in Italy
Summary: You Must Pay for Access and You Are Prohibited From Re-Using the Data Request sent to The Chamber of Commerce - Italian Business Register (Click here) Outcome of request Information refused. Time taken to respond 14 days (deadline is 30 calendar days) Reasons for refusal Must pay for access. Personal privacy. Restricted re-use of data. On 31 October
Request Process in Hungary
Summary: You Cannot Request Bulk Access, Only Access to Specific Records Request sent to Hungarian Ministry of Justice Outcome of request Information Refused. Time taken to respond 2 working days (Deadline of 15 working days) Reason for refusal Only need to answer requests for individual records. Another law overrides FOI law. On 22 July 2013 the request was sent