Where to apply?

Before you apply it is important to consider, which authority is most likely to give you access to the documents, you need for this particular story.

Political interest

If you apply for documents about a new highway, they are likely to be held both at the ministry of transport and the ministry of the environment. Consider the possible political aspect of your request: Would traffic planners want the public to know about this? Would environmentalist? Always apply, where you can hope for a political interest in the publication.

Political interest and timing

In politically tense cases it is important to consider the timing of your application. Find out about the agenda of your subject, which authorities will deal with it at which time and what this means for the documents, you are looking for. Plan your application accordingly.

Administrative-culture – national

Public authorities have different attitudes to openness. The closer you get to the diplomatic services, for example, the more likely you will find officials who protect documents against the public (unless there are special interests in leaking). On the other end you may meet authorities used to dealing with public requests and openness, who are much more likely to react smoothly to your request.

Administrative culture – international

The administrative cultures in Europe when it comes to freedom of information vary immensely. You get a first indication about how well-established the tradition for wobbing is by looking at the year of introduction of the law – however there is one exception, the United Kingdom, where journalists wob very succesfully.

Sweden 1766

USA 1966

Denmark 1985

EU 2001

UK 2005

Germany 2006

See wob per country list by decade provided by Access Info.

Please quote Wobbing.eu on this text Creative Commons Navngivelse-IkkeKommerciel-IngenBearbejdelse 3.0 Unported Licens.

Brigitte Alfter