On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, a reception was held at Yerevan State University’s Faculty of Journalism for the launch of the Armenian version of the Legal Leaks toolkit – a guide for journalist and citizens seeking to access government-held information.

The guidebook was prepared by Access Info Europe and the Berlin-based n-ost organization that brings together journalists, Eastern Europe experts and media initiatives from more than 40 countries. 

The guidebook has been translated and edited to fit loca legal parameters by the Investigative Journalists NGO in Armenia.

The toolkit is based on a comparative analysis of the access to information of the 46 countries of the Council of Europe region which have such laws. It also broaches issues on information security and offers tips on the safest ways to transmit information.

Hetq Deputy Editor Liana Sayadyan, who served as editor for the Armenian version of the guidebook, congratulated those in attendance on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.

“I hope that we never encounter hindrances while doing our jobs and that we’ll truly be able to perform our mission. We all realize that we have an important role to play to improve the current and future situation in our country. Reporters are the engines for social change,” Sayadyan told the budding journalists.

After the reception, Sayadyan and Hetq reporter Kristine Aghalaryan responded to audience questions regarding the problems involved in getting access to government information, how freedom of information laws are applied in Europe, and the peculiarities of investigative reporting/

A pdf Armenian version of the guidebook can be accessed HERE

Photos: Samvel Ghaytmazlyan