We seek to develop investigative journalism in the public interest by engaging in advocacy to defend and expand the democratic space investigative journalists need to do their work. We do not campaign for campaigning's sake, but target matters where we can help ensure conditions are conducive to the practice of investigative journalism. We have done important work in relation to a number of access to information matters with direct bearing on the work of investigative journalists, but also the media in general and society at large.

Our advocacy activities have included:

• The "Secrecy Bill" and the Right2Know Campaign: The Protection of State Information Bill would classify large swathes of information to the detriment of open and accountable government. We joined forces with like-minded organisations in 2010 to form the Right2Know Campaign (R2K), which we continue to help lead and advise. Although the Bill remains a significant threat, there have been significant interim gains as the ruling party backed down on some of the most harmful clauses.
• The Companies Act and shareholder transparency: When the Companies Amendment Bill was submitted to Parliament in 2010, we identified drafting changes which could effectively deprive members of the public the right to inspect company share registers, which has always been an important tool for transparency in general, and for investigative journalists in particular when they research corruption and conflict of interests. We made submissions to Parliament, lobbied MPs and drafters, and proposed new drafting. Our success was complete: on March 15 2011, Parliament passed the Bill with the amendments we had proposed, guaranteeing public access.
• Exercising PAIA: We have made it our business to "flex" the Promotion of Access to Information Act. While the results are often discouraging, the use of the Act builds up a body of knowledge and precedent in its use. Where appropriate, we will litigate both to access the required information and to help set judicial precedent.
• Quasi-judicial process transparency: During 2011 we attempted through our lawyers to force Parliament's ethics committee to open for the very first time the hearing of an MP accused of impropriety – in this case social development portfolio committee chair Yolanda Botha. Although we were rebuffed, we believe we wringed important concessions which may pay off in future. And we are presently litigating to force the Refugee Appeals Board to open the very worrying refugee status hearing of Czech organised crime figure Radovan Krejcir.
Campaigning journalism: We have published numerous opinion articles dealing with matters of access to information, media freedom, etc.