EMPOWERING JOURNALISM THROUGH
THE RIGHT OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION
THE LEGAL LEAKS TOOLKIT HELPS JOURNALISTS OBTAIN
INFORMATION USING ACCESS TO INFORMATION LAWS
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)
EMPOWERING JOURNALISM LATEST NEWS
First Legal Leaks training in Pristina empowers journalists to use access to information laws
Prishtina, 4 June 2014 - How is taxpayers’ money being spent in a city? What are the plans for constructing a public hospital or a new school? Who received public contracts for building a new road or public infrastructure? Answers to those questions can be as interesting for readers, listeners and viewers as any story about political intrigue or international
Legal Leaks Challenge: Write Your Access To Information Story
Madrid, 24 July 2014 – As part of the Legal Leaks trainings which has taken place during the month of June in five different countries in the Balkans – Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia -, Access Info Europe and UNESCO, in partnership with the EU Commission, has organised a challenge for journalists taking part in these courses.
Legal Leaks trainings: enhancing media accountability in the Balkans
Madrid, 2 June 2014 – UNESCO and Access Info Europe will be carrying out a series of Legal Leaks trainings during the following month of June in five different Balkans countries, including Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo. The Legal Leaks trainings are meant to empower journalists to use their national freedom of information laws as a regular
Introducing the ‘Legal Leaks’ toolkit
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 issues such as corruption and organised crime, violations of human rights, controversial international relations, environmental contamination, relationships with business and lobby groups, and the more sensitive aspects of EU integration. Legal Leaks helps
Data Journalism Handbook
Madrid, 23 September 2013 - The Data Journalism Handbook, a free, openly licensed reference book showing journalists how to use data to improve the news has been translated into French, Spanish and Russian. Organised by Open Knowledge Foundation along with the European Journalism Centre, the Handbook explains not only about what data journalism is, but also how to get it,
Access Info Europe holds joint seminar on Data Journalism in Madrid.
Madrid, 13 October 2011 - You are invited to participate in the second Data Journalism meeting on 20 October at 17 hrs at Medialab Prado, Madrid. The high level speakers are of Xaquín González Veira (The New York Times), Annamarie Cumiskey (Bureau of Investigative Journalism), Mar Cabra (International Consortium of Investigative Journalists - ICIJ) and David Cabo (Pro Bono Publico).