Brenno de Winter

Brenno de Winter (born 6 December 1971, in Ede) is a former Dutch ICT and investigative journalist. He writes for Linux Magazine, Computer!Totaal, NU.nl, and Webwereld, and is a commenter for the PowNews programme on PowNed TV. Brenno is also a podcaster and hosts Laura Speaks Dutch. He caused controversy by submitting requests for information on the basis of the Open Government Act (WOB) to include Jeltje van Nieuwenhoven (regarding her role as OV ambassador) and hundreds WOB requests to all Dutch municipalities and provinces. Because not all agencies fulfilled the WOB requests, de Winter filed lawsuits against them. The Dutch Association of Journalists (NEY) supported de Winter. A court in The Hague ruled in de Winter's favour on 4 May 2010. In April 2010, de Winter was involved in the disclosure of the expenditure of the FENS funds (1.3 billion euros) by the NS. After the publications and media appearances of de Winter related to the ease and simplicity of the OV-chipkaart, the public transport smart card in the Netherlands, the Minister of Infrastructure and Environment was able to get the NVB in Haaglanden about a one-month postponement. Due to the disclosure, the District Attorney decided to open a criminal investigation against de Winter; however, after a legal defence fund met its goals within an hour.