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

23Ene 2010

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

23Ene 2010

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

23Ene 2010

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

23Ene 2010

Request Process in Finland

Summary: You Must Pay to Access the Company Register Request sent to Finnish Trade Register (Click here) Outcome of request Information refused Time taken to respond 2 working days (Deadline is 7 days) Reason for refusal Must pay for access.   A request was sent to the Finnish Trade Register on 4 November 2013. Only two days later, on 6

23Ene 2010

Request Process in France

Summary: A Case of Administrative Silence - No Response to Our Request Request sent to Registre du Commerce et des Societes (Click here) Outcome of request Administrative silence. Time taken to respond N/A (Deadline is 30 days) Reason for refusal No response received.   On 31 October 2013 Access Info tried to send a request to the Registre du Commerce

20Ene 2010

Supreme Court Case

Supreme Court Callenge to Silence on Anti-Corruption Measures 19 January 2010: Access Info’s legal challenge against the failure of Spain’s Ministry of Justice to respond to citizens’ questions about measures to combat corruption reached the Supreme Court. Access Info is asking the Supreme Court to uphold the right of access to information. Access Info described as “absurd” the need to