GIJN Masterclass Round-Up: Key Investigative Topics
In this round-up of recent GIJN Academy masterclasses, we share expert insights across a range of key topics: food insecurity, corruption, leaks, online scams, and historical archives.
Methodology
New York Times’s Malachy Browne on the Future of Visual Investigations in the Age of AI
What began as the niche practice of verifying shaky mobile phone footage in an era of social media chaos has since become one of the most consequential developments in modern journalism.
Methodology
How Many Tobacco Shops Are Near Your Town’s Schools? Using Georeferenced Data Analysis for Location-Based Investigations
Using both public info and business listings on Google, reporters can mine georeferenced data to examine potential public health harms and socioeconomic disparities of communities.
10 Questions
‘Investigative Journalism Goes Beyond Numbers:’ Reporting on Health and the Environment in Côte d’Ivoire
Marthe Akissi Kra’s reporting translates complex scientific and ecological data into accessible stories, connecting global environmental issues to her local listeners.
GIJN Masterclass Round-Up: Artificial Intelligence
In this round-up of recent GIJN Academy masterclass videos, we look at investigating AI use by governments, identifying AI-manipulated imagery, and deconstructing popular narratives about the technology.
Tipsheet Reporting Tools & Tips
10 Practical Tips for Verifying Scientific Claims
A paper published in a scientific journal can be a promising lead for an investigation. But reporters should follow these best practices before turning any academic claim into a news story.
Data Journalism Top 10
Spain’s Solar Eclipses, Russia-Ukraine Drone Warfare, ICE Detention Camp Overcrowding, and Tracking the Spread of Fake News
Also highlighting overcrowding in ICE detention facilities, foreign-owned natural resources in Argentina, and mapping the journeys in classic novels.
News & Analysis
Investigating Inside Conflict Zones and Areas Controlled by Armed Groups: Lessons from South Asia and the Middle East
In conflict zones, access is rarely secured through official accreditation alone. It is negotiated through local trust, personal relationships, and an understanding of community dynamics.
IJ WEEK
First Look: IJ WEEK World-Class Speakers and Cutting-Edge Sessions
With just 12 weeks left until IJ WEEK, GIJN is offering a sneak preview of some of the event’s more than 100 speakers as well as the expert panels and networking sessions.
Can We Gamify That? The Innovators Turning Investigations on Spying Scandals and Vote Rigging into Video Games
From Colombia to Nigeria, outlets are finding new audiences by adapting watchdog reporting to create digital games.
Investigative Techniques Reporting Tools & Tips Teaching & Training
Do You Have ‘the OSINT Mindset’?: Try Our Quiz for Those Who Like ‘a Little Light Online Sleuthing’
The most important thing to learn if you wish to integrate elements of OSINT into your investigative practice is the overall mindset behind the approach.
Member Profiles
Building an Engaged Community through Collaboration and In-Depth Investigations, All While Maintaining a Sense of Humor
This small Lithuanian outlet Siena punches above its weight by publishing agenda-setting stories — but the founders say they also never want to take themselves too seriously.
How They Did It News & Analysis
‘I Didn’t Really Sleep’: Inside the Investigation That Helped End Viktor Orbán’s Rule
Investigative outlet Direkt36’s high-risk exposé of the Fidesz party’s secret operation to bring down the opposition party helped unseat Orbán after 16 years of illiberal rule and media capture.
Data Journalism Top 10
Global Data Center Energy Use, US Strike on Iran School, Russia’s Security Service Leaks, Portugal’s Ancient Trees
This latest Top 10 in Data Journalism column also highlights rising drug-related deaths in Berlin, heatwave fatalities in Europe, and Hong Kong’s rapidly aging population.
Distribution & Promotion
How to Make Investigations Matter More: A Q&A with the Authors of ‘The Guide to Impact Journalism’
In investigative journalism, many newsrooms have begun implementing an “impact strategy.” How can they do better and what is the goal?
Reporting Tools & Tips
The Power of ‘Positive Deviant’ Data Investigations: How Good Outliers Can Expose Systemic Misconduct or Policy Failure
One often overlooked approach for accountability reporting involves side-by-side comparisons between successful and failing institutions with near-identical resources.
Resource Guide
Reporter’s Guide to Investigating Cryptocurrency
ICIJ and GIJN collaborated on this guide to help reporters kick-start their investigation or deepen their knowledge of the crypto industry.
Global Academy Guides Resource Guide
AI Accountability Reporting Guide
This reporting guide helps investigative journalists understand some of the nitty-gritty of the technology underlying AI and to give them a framework through which they can examine it.
Global Academy Guides Resource Guide
GIJN Guide to Investigating Extreme Heat
The negative effects from higher temperatures can be seen everywhere, offering many opportunities for investigative journalism.
Resource
10 Investigative Questions to Ask after a Natural Disaster
Watchdog reporters should discard the idea that damage from natural disasters is simply due to “acts of nature,” and rather think of it as a mix of hazardous events and human actions.
Global Academy Guides Resource Guide
Guide to Mapping Analysis Using QGIS
The open source desktop geographic information system software QGIS can be a powerful tool for investigative journalists. This resource takes you from the basics to advanced data mapping.
Resource Guide
Tech Focus Project
There is a central tension facing investigative journalists: the “AI and tech paradox.” Explore our report on the most urgent technology-related challenges facing investigative journalism today.
Resource Guide
Guide: Introduction to Investigative Journalism
Featuring advice on fact checking, digital security tips, interview techniques, and guidelines for editors.
Training and courses for journalists →
GIJN Hub
Upcoming event
TICKETS ON SALE: Online IJ WEEK Offers More than 100 Speakers Dedicated to Investigative Journalism Around the World
26–30 October 2026
Information ↗
Upcoming event
Strategies To Seek Funding For Investigative Journalism
September 8, 2026
Information ↗
Global Academy On-Demand Courses
NEW COURSE ADDED: AI Without the Guesswork: Smarter Journalism Without Prompting and Hallucinations
One of our most popular courses is back for a third time, this full-day session with investigative trainer Henk van Ess teaches how to use AI for source discovery and data analysis, stop hallucinations, and prompt more effectively.
Global Academy Webinars
Silencing Journalists Online: How Copyright Is Being Weaponized Against Investigative Journalists
A new form of censorship is emerging globally to silence the work of journalists and activists online, targeting their reporting with impostor accounts and fake copyright complaints.
Upcoming event
Investigating Technology and AI in Conflict
October 6, 2026
Information ↗
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Empower the World’s Watchdog Journalists
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Open Source Intelligence Researcher
Rappler
Manila, Philippines
Deadline: Open until filled
Asia Editor
Semafor
Remote, ideally Singapore
Deadline: Open until filled
Senior Producer
CNN Visual Investigations
New York/Washington, US
Deadline: Open until filled
Bilingual Editor
Palestine Reporting Lab
Remote
Deadline: Open until filled
Around the World
Travel Fellowships: 2027 World Conference of Science Journalists
The biennial World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ2027) — hosted by the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW) and the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) — will be held in London, UK, on 6-9 September, with the theme ‘Strengthening science journalism through global networks.’ Travel fellowships are available to support journalists, journalism students, or students in related fields who would otherwise be unable to attend. Fellows will receive financial support towards travel, visa costs, limited local transport and up to six nights of accommodation. Applications are now open and close on October 23, 2026.
AIJC Fellowships for Francophone Investigative Journalists
French-speaking investigative journalists from Francophone countries in Africa can apply for fellowships to attend the 2026 African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC), which will be held in Nairobi, Kenya from November 10-12, 2026. The fellowship covers travel costs such as flights, visas, shuttles, accommodation, and meals. Applicants must have a valid passport. Fellows will be required to produce at least one piece of investigative journalism (online, print, or broadcast) based on material or topics gathered at the 2026 AIJC. The application deadline is September 4; check the fellowship link for a full list of countries included.
First Breakwater Festival To Be Held in Poland
The first festival to unite journalists from Poland, the Nordic countries, and Central and Eastern Europe, Breakwater Festival is a three-day gathering of reporters, editors, and media innovators focusing on “investigative and quality journalism in practice.” The festival will be held September 24-27, 2026 in Gdansk, Poland, with sessions organized around investigative journalism, data, art and media, sustainability, films and storytelling, and exiled media. Tickets range from E120-200, with options for discounts, fellowships, and volunteers. The festival is organized by the Reporters Foundation, an independent investigative hub for journalism in Poland.
Pitch Your Investigation to Follow the Money
The Netherlands-based investigative news outlet Follow the Money is looking for “ambitious investigations that reveal wrongdoing, uncover corruption, and hold power to account” and stories on “ individuals, institutions, or corporations that evade accountability, serve private interests, and undermine democracy in Europe.” Follow the Money provides substantial feedback on pitches and works closely with journalists during the reporting process. Freelancers or journalists who work with a newsroom open to collaborations should fill out a pitch form available on their website and send it to pitches@ftm.eu.
Five News Professionals Sentenced to Over a Decade in Prison in Azerbaijan
On July 27, a court in Baku sentenced five journalists and staff members from Toplum TV, an independent outlet, to prison terms ranging from 12 to almost 14 years. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the trial, which it said “illustrates the escalating crackdown on independent media in Azerbaijan.” The Toplum TV staff, including its director, journalists, and a social media manager, were convicted on charges of "smuggling foreign currency" and "illegal entrepreneurship.” All have pleaded not guilty and maintain that the legal case against them is in retaliation for their reporting. Their lawyers announced they will appeal.
Investigative Journalists Honored at Press Freedom Awards at Colombia’s Gabo Festival
At the Gabo Festival in Bogotá, Colombia, the International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) announced this year’s recipients of the World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer awards. The former's recipients are Patricia Evangelista (Philippines), Mónica González (Chile), and Hungary’s independent journalists; the latter's are the Latin American Center for Investigative Journalism (El CLIP) and Abzas Media and Meydan TV (Azerbaijan). “This year’s recipients come from different countries, generations, and political contexts. Yet what they all have in common is their dedication to holding power to account,” said IPI executive director Scott Griffen.
Submit Work for Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival
The 2026 Double Exposure (‘DX 2026’) Investigative Film Festival and Forum will be held November 5-8 in Washington, DC. This year’s theme is On the Record: Evidence in an Age of Doubt, and the event will for the first time feature a public symposium. Feature-length films and shorts that are world, national, or Washington, DC premieres are eligible for consideration, and must not have been previously available to Washington, DC audiences. Films should have an investigative angle, based on journalist investigations, or be investigations that “reveal hidden stories ideally with a compelling public interest.” Deadline: September 13, 202
Apply for the 2026 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize
Source: Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism
Submissions for the sixth edition of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism are open until 31 July 2026. The Prize is awarded each year around 16 October, the day of the Maltese journalist’s assassination. Endorsed by the European Parliamnet, the award recognizes outstanding journalism that promotes or defends the core principles and values of the European Union such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights. It’s open to professional journalists and teams of any nationality, who can submit in-depth pieces that have been published or broadcast by media based in one of the 27 EU countries.
Early Registration for the 2026 African Investigative Journalism Conference
Early bird registrations for the 22nd African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC26) are open. Attendees can save R1,000 (US$61) from the standard ticket price of R4,700 (US$285) if they register before August 1. Discounts are also available for students, freelancers, and bulk ticket purchases — students and freelancers can get 50% off the standard ticket price, but must apply directly with the organizers. The conference fee includes full access to the three-day programme and includes meals, coffee/tea), and the African Investigative Journalist of the Year Award formal gala dinner on November 11.
Nigerian Investigative Journalist Disappears Following Report on Corruption, Adultery Allegations
The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on Nigerian authorities to investigate the disappearance of journalist Stanley Ugagbe, who witnesses say was seized by two armed men in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, on Wednesday. Ugagbe’s colleagues at Secret Reporters believe the incident was related to the outlet’s recent investigation into corruption and infidelity allegations involving a Nigerian Central Bank executive, for which Ugagbe was the lead reporter. “Authorities must swiftly investigate the whereabouts of journalist Stanley Ugagbe, ensure his immediate safety, and hold those responsible... to account,” said CPJ Africa Director Angela Quintal.
10 Questions
‘Investigative Journalism Goes Beyond Numbers:’ Reporting on Health and the Environment in Côte d’Ivoire
Marthe Akissi Kra’s reporting translates complex scientific and ecological data into accessible stories, connecting global environmental issues to her local listeners.
10 Questions
Curiosity and the Long Road to the Truth: Lessons from an Award-Winning Portuguese Reporter
The journalist explains how he has built a career around long-form investigations, and delves into the process behind his recent book exposing the far-right in Portugal.
10 Questions
The African Investigative Journalist of the Year on Deep Dives, Funding, and ‘Paying Your Dues’
The award-winning South African investigative journalist says he spent years ‘in the wilderness’ digging into spreadsheets and paperwork to find his niche.
10 Questions
Confront Them With the Numbers: This Former Physicist’s Path to Investigative Data Journalism
Anna Behrend is a self-taught data journalist who has found in data-driven reporting and visualization a way to combine her academic background in science with her creative interests.
Data Journalism
GIJN Masterclass Round-Up: Data Journalism
In this round-up of recent GIJN Academy masterclasses on data journalism, we share practical videos on data reporting basics, using spreadsheets, and incorporating satellite imagery.
Spreadsheets for Investigative Journalists
Helena Bengtsson
Data Journalism
How a WhatsApp Community Is Bringing India’s Data Storytellers Together
Recently, more than 400 people gathered in the Indian city of Bengaluru for VizChitra 2026, a conference on data visualization and storytelling — but that is only a small part of the story.
Climate Data Journalism
Turning the Threat to a Distant Glacier into a Local Story Through Data Visualization
New York Times climate and environmental graphics reporter Mira Rojanasakul discusses how her team visualized the sea level rise threat from the melting Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica.
Member Profiles
Building an Engaged Community through Collaboration and In-Depth Investigations, All While Maintaining a Sense of Humor
This small Lithuanian outlet Siena punches above its weight by publishing agenda-setting stories — but the founders say they also never want to take themselves too seriously.
Member Profiles
The Black Sea: How Investigative Journalism Endures in Turkey
The investigative outlet focusing on the Black Sea region and Turkey is not quite exiled media, not quite traditional newsroom, but a collaborative group focused on abuses of power.
Member Profiles
Tansa: Pioneering a New Model for Investigative Journalism in Japan
Over the past decade, the nonprofit Tokyo Investigative Newsroom has published numerous longform exposés on issues ranging from gender, health, politics, and the environment.
Member Profiles Press Freedom
After a Government Suspension, What’s Next for Uganda’s Premier Journalism Training Organization?
The African Centre for Media Excellence fills a critical gap between journalism schools and newsrooms, but earlier this year Ugandan authorities ordered it to shut down and it’s now fighting for its survival.
GIJC25
The 14th Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC25) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, assembled more than 1,500 journalists from over 135 countries and territories to hold workshops, share best practices, and build a community increasingly confronting funding crises, disinformation campaigns, digital surveillance, and authoritarian threats. This project is a compendium of GIJN’s coverage of the conference.
Asia Focus
This regional spotlight series examines the world’s largest and most populous continent, which is also the host of the 2025 Global Investigative Journalism Conference. Asia serves as a unique laboratory in the global media landscape, but journalists here face multifaceted challenges, from censorship to physical threats, digital surveillance to financial pressures. Despite this, watchdog reporters […]
MENA Focus
Our third regional spotlight series examines the challenges facing our members and other outlets in the Middle East and North Africa, such as war, backsliding democracies, self-censorship, exile, surveillance and imprisonment of journalists, and the hostile legal environment — and why this reality on the ground makes investigative journalism there all the more essential.
Africa Focus
Our second regional spotlight series examines the successes and challenges facing our members in Africa and others reporting from the continent. These articles tell the stories of growing journalistic collaboration, courage, and innovation in the face of repression, legal intimidation, lack of access to information, and even physical threats.
Videos
See all Videos →
Resource Video
Tips and Tools for Uncovering Online Scams
Online scams have become borderless threats that evolve rapidly in scale, sophistication, and impact. From fraudsters using the Internet to steal to phishing networks that engage in social engineering and trick individuals, scams are often backed by organized criminal groups that exploit weak law enforcement, jurisdictional loopholes, and digital anonymity.
Global Academy Webinars Resource Video
GIJN Africa Webinar: Investigating Revolutionary and Military Regimes
In this free online workshop, GIJN will convene four experienced African journalists to discuss how to dig out information from repressive regimes and military dictatorships on the continent.
Resource Video
Behind the Data — Tools and Techniques from the 2025 Sigma Award Winners
What innovative tools and techniques are shaping the future of data journalism? A special Lightning Round webinar with the 10 winners of the 2025 Sigma Awards, celebrating some of the world’s best data-driven investigations.
Global Academy Webinars Resource Video
Gathering Evidence and Documents in Conflict and War Zones — A MENA Case Study
A webinar exploring how investigative journalists can document human rights abuses in war zones, with a focus on methods to ensure the information gathered can later be used by legal investigators or international courts.