OSCE media freedom representative launches guide on access to information on World Press Freedom Day

BERLIN, 3 May 2010 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatovic, launched a guide for journalists on how to access government information today, marking World Press Freedom Day.

“The Legal Leaks Toolkit” was prepared by the non-governmental organizations Access Info Europe and Network for Reporting on Eastern Europe n-ost with financial support from the OSCE Representative's office.

“The Legal Leaks project not only explains what access to information laws are and how they should be used, but also creates an international network of journalists who could help each other access information in their respective states,” Mijatovic said at a news conference in Berlin.

The guide informs about the rules of access, appeal procedures and other important aspects of access to information in 45 OSCE participating States that have access to information laws.

“Promoting a culture of access to information on an international level is an effective method to increase government transparency, while raising awareness and promoting investigative journalism. I will ensure that access to information remains high on the intergovernmental agenda and keep reminding the governments of the OSCE participating States of its importance,” Mijatovic said.

Press clipping:

Organisations:

OSCE (Representative on Freedom of the Media, 29.04.2010)
Legal Leaks: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media presents access to information toolkit for journalists, 03.05.2010 
UNESCO Portal: (World Press Freedom Day 2010, 03.05.2010)
ECREA (Young Scholars Network)
Informacijski Pooblascenec (05.05.2010)
Nato Watch (13.05.2010)
Open Data Network Germany (17.05.2010)
Verdi

Print, Radio and Online:
wdr5 (Scala, 03.05.2010)
Bayern2 (World Press Freedom Day, 03.05.2010)
Le Monde (03.05.2010)
Le Figaro (03.05.2010)
Julien Frisch-watching Europe (Legal Leaks & Access to public information in OSCE countries, 03.05.2010)
Netzpresse Online (Open Data und legale Daten-Lecks für Journalisten, 28.04.2010)
suite101.de- Das Netzwerk der Autoren (Die Pressefreiheit- Schreiben gegen Willkür und Gewalt, 03.05.2010)
Le Figaro (liberté de la presse: guide de l´OSCE, 03.05.2010)
Association de la Communication Corporate (L´OSCE invente une "boite à outils pour les fuites officielles")
Media.ge