News & Analysis Reporting Tools & Tips
The Art of the Interview: Tips from BBC Veteran Kirsty Young
The longtime host of the BBC’s beloved interview show, Desert Island Discs, reveals how she disarms poets and politicians alike.
Data Journalism Getting the Story Out
How to Investigate When the State Conceals Data: Lessons from Belarus
In 2020, Belarusian authorities began to conceal official statistics. In a session at Dataharvest 2024, journalist Alina Yanchur shared the investigative methods adopted by those who have to work without access to state-published information.
News & Analysis
GIJN Co-Hosts International Journalists, Honors Investigative Reporter Chuck Lewis at IRE24
More than five dozen journalists and editors from 20 different countries around the world joined GIJN staff at the International Luncheon on Friday, June 21, at the IRE24 Conference in Anaheim California.
Data Journalism Top 10
Data Journalism Top 10: Analyzing Opposition to US Aid for Ukraine, Algorithm to Flag Illegal Timber, Modi’s Lost Support, and Elections in Europe
In this edition of our Top 10 in Data Journalism, we also highlight stories on gains and losses in recent elections from Europe to India, claims of copyright theft by AI companies, and Peru’s broken adoption process.
Awards, Grants, & Fellowships News & Analysis
GIJN Honors Chuck Lewis: Pioneer of Nonprofit Investigative Journalism
In an extraordinary 50-year career, US muckraker Chuck Lewis has founded two Pulitzer Prize-winning news organizations, launched innovation and training incubators, and authored several investigative books.
How They Did It Investigative Techniques
‘Smoke and Lies’: How Visual Forensics Disproved Official Accounts of a Deadly Migrant Center Fire
At the IPI World Congress, journalists from GIJN member Lighthouse Reports share how their cross-border collaboration investigated the deaths of 40 people in a fire at a migrant detention center along the US-Mexico border.
Methodology Reporting Tools & Tips
Common Mistakes in Cross-Border Investigations — And How to Fix Them
At a Dataharvest 2024 panel, three well-established investigative reporters spoke about their past mistakes, failures, and other errors that almost cost them a story.
Tipsheet Investigative Techniques Reporting Tools & Tips
Reporter’s Tipsheet for Acquiring Free Satellite Images
There is a treasure trove of compelling visual evidence out there that is going unused by many watchdog journalists. Here’s how to find it.
Member Profiles Sustainability
How Serbia’s CINS Pushes Investigative Journalism Outside the State Media ‘Bubble’
Facing attacks and threats from politicians and partisan media, the outlet has turned to innovative reporting formats to increase audience engagement and public interest in watchdog journalism.
Tipsheet Reporting Tools & Tips Research
Toolkit: How to Investigate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing
A Pulitzer Center toolkit for illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which impacts marine ecosystems, coastal communities, food security, and human rights.
Investigative Techniques News & Analysis News & Analysis
Lessons Learned from the Fact-Checking Collective That Covered India’s National Elections
How a fact-checking collective in India fought misinformation and deepfakes in that country’s recently concluded elections.
Investigative Techniques Research
‘The Cost of Free Land’: Investigating a Personal and National Legacy of Indigenous Land Theft
Rebecca Clarren’s investigative history grapples with her immigrant family’s success at the expense of their Indigenous neighbors.
Conference Resources Reporting Tools & Tips
How Investigative Journalists Can Fight Back Against Health Misinformation
A new wave of investigative health journalism is exposing deadly misinformation, turning complex data into accessible truths that can save millions of lives.
Data Journalism Top 10
Dangerous Flight Turbulence, Trump’s Felony Convictions, Missing Sudan War Coverage, and Iran’s Aging Aircraft Fleet
We also highlight a look at Sudan’s “forgotten” war, the microplastics seeping into our water and bodies, and how cocaine from Colombia reaches the world.
Investigative Techniques Reporting Tools & Tips
Dissecting Propaganda: Using AI to Cut Through North Korean TV Spin
Accessing information from isolated nations like North Korea is difficult. Cutting-edge AI tools now enable efficient analysis of foreign language video broadcasts.
Investigative Techniques Teaching & Training
29 Journalists Graduate from GIJN’s Third Digital Threats Training Course
The third cohort of GIJN’s online training in cyber and digital threats investigations has now completed, graduating journalists from more than 26 countries.
Guide Resource
Covering the Extractive Industries
Mineral extraction plays a dominant role in many economies and in the lives of billions of people. How can reporters dig into the benefits and costs?
Database Resource Tipsheet
Grants and Fellowships for Journalists
GIJN has compiled a comprehensive list of national, regional, and global reporting grants and fellowships focused on opportunities available to international journalists.
Chapter Guide Resource
Latest Tools to Help Reporters Investigate Methane Emissions
New sources have emerged that can help investigative journalists hold to account those responsible for emitting methane gas, a major cause of global warming.
Guide Resource
GIJN’s Elections Guide for Investigative Reporters — Revised for 2024
Featuring a broad array of tools, techniques, and resources to help watchdog reporters dig into almost any campaign or election.
Resource
Awards for Investigative Journalists
A guide to prominent journalism awards and competitions of special interest to investigative journalists.
Guide Resource
Reporter’s Guide to Investigating Carbon Offsets
Carbon offsets are truly an international climate change story with potential for cross-border collaboration between journalists.
GIJN Hub
Upcoming event
GIJN Webinar: How Latin America Connects to Your Story: Investigating the Region’s Global Reach of Illicit Money, Illegal Mining, Drug Trafficking, and Environmental Destruction
9 July 2024
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Past event
GIJN Launches ‘How They Investigated’ Substack
14 June 2024
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GIJN Newsletter
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Upcoming event
CIJ Summer Conference
03–04 July 2024
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Reporter – Disinformation, Extremism, and Technology
Center for Investigative Reporting/Reveal
San Francisco, US
Deadline: Open until filled
Senior Producer – Fault Lines
Al Jazeera
Washington, DC
Deadline: Open until filled
Computational Journalist
ProPublica
New York, US
Deadline: 15 July 2024
Media Trainer
Code for Africa
Africa
Deadline: 31 July 2024
Policy & Advocacy Manager – Europe
Access Now
Brussels, Belgium
Deadline: Open until filled
Digital Security Manager
Code for Africa
Kenya
Deadline: 30 June 2024
Policy Advisor, Illicit Finance Policy (Azerbaijan)
The Sentry
Remote
Deadline: Open until filled
West Bank: Project Coordinator
Internews
Ramallah, West Bank
Deadline: Open until filled
Around the World
Forbidden Stories Releases New Collaborative Investigation Into Targeting of Journalists in Gaza
GIJN member Forbidden Stories joined with 50 journalists from 13 news outlets to publish "The Gaza Project," an in-depth investigation into the alleged military targeting and killing of journalists working inside Gaza. Since the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, press freedom advocates estimate that more than 100 journalists have died inside that Palestinian territory. According to Forbidden Stories, "the Gaza Project reveals a damning array of evidence against the Israeli government and calls into question their army’s denials about targeting the press since the war began."
Journalist Who Helped Spark China’s #MeToo Movement Jailed
Chinese investigative journalist Huang Xueqin, a prominent voice in China's #MeToo movement, has been sentenced to five years in prison for “inciting subversion of state power.” Huang reported on gender-based harassment in the media industry and put forward the first #MeToo case in one of China’s most prestigious universities. RSF says that she has endured prolonged questioning in the "'tiger chair,' a notorious torture tool." “Huang Xueqin was only serving the public interest by shedding light on social issues and should never have been detained, not to mention tortured or sentenced to such a heavy prison term," said RSF's Asia-Pacific bureau director Cédric Alviani.
IWMF Announces 2024 Courage in Journalism Awards
The 35th edition of the IWMF Courage in Journalism Awards, the principal award dedicated to women and nonbinary individuals’ contributions in the field, has recognized journalists from Ecuador, Myanmar, Palestine, and the US for reporting under duress. This year’s Wallis Annenberg Justice for Women Journalists Award, given annually to a journalist who is unjustly jailed, detained, or imprisoned, went to Burmese documentary filmmaker Shin Daewe, who was sentenced to life in prison after she was arrested for receiving film equipment. Other honorees were Lauren Chooljian (US), Maha Hussaini (Palestine), and Mónica Velásquez Villacís (Ecuador).
Ukrainian Media Speaks Out Against US Right-Wing Threats Toward Texty.org.ua
Source: Institute of Mass Information
A group of more than 70 Ukrainian independent media organizations issued a statement of support for Texty.org.ua. Following Texty's nodal analysis piece last week examining political and media figures in the US that have opposed military aid to Ukraine or expressed sympathy for Russia's invasion, the Ukrainian data journalism site was verbally targeted by numerous US conservatives, including GOP Members of Congress who threatened the site's funding, while X owner Elon Musk said Texty should be listed as a "terrorist" organization. "A coordinated attack on independent media undermines the core principles of a democratic society," the statement said.
Russia Indicts Wall Street Journal Reporter on Espionage Charges
More than a year after Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested and falsely accused of espionage, Russian prosecutors have indicted him and referred his case to a trial court. Gershkovich, a US citizen, had been reporting on the Russian defense industry in the wake of the country's invasion into Ukraine when he was detained in March 2023 and sent to Moscow's Lefortovo Prison. Both the Journal and the US government strenuously deny that he has acted as a spy or intelligence agent.
3 Convicted of Murder of Dutch Investigative Reporter Peter R. de Vries
A Dutch court has convicted three men of murder for their roles in the 2021 shooting of investigative reporter Peter R. de Vries, who was attacked in downtown Amsterdam as he left a TV station. The shooter, getaway driver, and organizer of the attack were convicted of direct involvement in the killing, and each sentenced to more than 25 years in prison. De Vries, who was 64, was a household name in the Netherlands, and had hosted a TV show covering high profile crime cases. The Dutch King called the shooting “an attack on journalism, the cornerstone of our constitutional state, and therefore also an attack on the rule of law.”
Serbian Judge Files SLAPPs Against KRIK Journalists
Source: International Federation of Journalists
A senior judge in Belgrade has filed lawsuits against two journalists from the Serbian nonprofit outlet, KRIK. The judge seeks monetary damages, prison sentences, and a two-year journalism ban for KRIK editor-in-chief Stevan Dojčinović and staff writer Bojana Pavlović following their work on a database of judiciary transparency that mentioned the judge by name. KRIK argues that all published information was obtained through legal channels and did not include sensitive personal data. The International Federation of Journalists said the judge’s actions were an attempt to “silence the media."
Audience Building Grant for Independent Media
Source: Global Forum for Media Development
The International Fund for Public Interest Media (IFPIM) is now accepting applications from independent media in 40 eligible countries around the world to fund investment in strategies to build audience. Funding for this grant is US$250,000 and will prioritize independent news sites that "play a vital role in producing and disseminating public interest journalism in the countries where they work and that are facing a difficult financial situation as result of local market conditions." Application must be in English and the deadline to apply is July 1, 2024.
Two Journalists Attacked in Bangladesh in Separate Incidents
Source: International Federation of Journalists
On May 26, Daily Star Savar reporter Aklakur Rahman Akash was attacked while covering a dispute between owners of a ceramic factory in Savar on the outskirts of the capital, Dhaka. According to Akash, his assailants were supporters of the rival owner. On May 27, journalist Enamul Haque, of Dainik Kalbela in Islampur, was investigating stocking practices of the Asad Dali Rice Mill when the mill owner stabbed him. The IFJ said: “Journalists and media workers in Bangladesh must be free to report without retribution, with these recent attacks indicative of the profound threats facing the nation’s media community.”
GIJN, Wits Centre for Journalism Sign New Partnership Agreement
GIJN and the Wits Centre for Journalism (WCJ), one of the top journalism and media training institutions in Africa, have announced a new partnership aimed at strengthening investigative journalism on the continent. WCJ was already a GIJN member, but now the two groups have signed an official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize a relationship that, according to GIJN Executive Director Emilia Diaz-Struck, will "contribute to advancing the work we do with our regional editors to expand connections between colleagues from Africa and other regions in our network."
10 Questions
Piercing the Veil of Censorship in China as a Visual Investigator
As a member of The New York Times Visual Investigations team, Muyi Xiao reports on her native China using a combination of remote tools and interviews.
10 Questions
Despite Detention and Forced Deportation, Still Investigating High-Level Corruption in Kyrgyzstan
Bolot Temirov has led fact-checking and investigative journalism efforts to uncover high-level corruption inside Kyrgyzstan.
10 Questions Sustainability
‘Exercising a Counterpower Role Brings Threats’: Advice from the Colombian Investigative Journalist Diana Salinas
Diana Salinas is committed to uncovering wrongdoing and empowering more women to follow in her footsteps.
10 Questions
An Unexpected Journey: Sports TV Host to Investigative Journalist and Star African Correspondent
Philip Obaji Jr has— often at great risk — reported on Boko Haram, human trafficking, and Russian activities in Africa.
Data Journalism Getting the Story Out
How to Investigate When the State Conceals Data: Lessons from Belarus
In 2020, Belarusian authorities began to conceal official statistics. In a session at Dataharvest 2024, journalist Alina Yanchur shared the investigative methods adopted by those who have to work without access to state-published information.
Data Journalism Reporting Tools & Tips
Tips for Using Data in a Small Newsroom
Small newsrooms need to focus on the importance of data use more than ever — but they often face numerous hurdles, including a lack of funding and limited human resources.
Data Journalism Reporting Tools & Tips
Harnessing the Power of Global Forest Watch for Data-Driven Reporting on Land Cover Change
A Mongabay senior editor shares tips for unlocking the full capabilities of Global Forest Watch, a free-to-use online platform that she says has been instrumental in her reporting.
Data Journalism
How CORRECTIV Supports Local Data Journalism in Europe: Q&A with Editor-in-Chief Olaya Argüeso
This project aims to help local journalists publish data stories when they wouldn’t otherwise have the time or money to do it.
Member Profiles Sustainability
How Serbia’s CINS Pushes Investigative Journalism Outside the State Media ‘Bubble’
Facing attacks and threats from politicians and partisan media, the outlet has turned to innovative reporting formats to increase audience engagement and public interest in watchdog journalism.
Getting the Story Out Member Profiles
How a Group of Paris-Based Journalists Are Saving Investigations from Oblivion
The goal of Forbidden Stories is to send a strong signal to those who oppose press freedom and want to act with impunity that killing a journalist won’t kill the story.
Member Profiles
IDL-Reporteros: The Newsroom That Dares to Challenge Peru’s Political Elite
This small investigative outlet spearheaded reporting on the Odebrecht corruption scandal and other examples of official misconduct in Peru. Now it is coming under attack from those same forces.
Member Profiles Press Freedom
CENOZO, the Organization Shoring Up Watchdog Reporting in West Africa
GIJN member The Norbert Zongo Cell for Investigative Journalism in West Africa (CENOZO) strives to promote journalism in the public interest.
Projects
2024 Elections
Global elections in the year ahead — including presidential, legislative, and regional polls in at least 60 countries — will affect more citizens than in any previous year, and will likely reset humanity’s liberty compass for years ahead. This ongoing project will feature an updated elections reporting guide, stories on cutting-edge tools for investigating campaigns […]
Investigating Russia and the War in Ukraine
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, GIJN has published a series of stories and tipsheets for investigative journalists covering the war. This includes a wide range range of topics, from tracking Russian assets to investigating war crimes.
GIJC23
The 13th Global Investigative Journalism Conference (#GIJC23), held in Gothenburg, Sweden from Sept. 19 – 22, 2023, gathered more than 2,100 journalists from 132 countries to hold workshops, share innovative methods, and celebrate a community increasingly facing censorship, corporate hacking, and authoritarian threats. This project is a compendium of GIJN’s coverage of the conference panels.
Climate Accountability
Today, there is plenty of beat reporting and feature writing about the world’s climate crisis. But what’s missing are the investigative journalists, the ones who follow the money and hold corporations and governments accountable for what they have done – and what they haven’t done. GIJN is working to change this. Our Climate Accountability Project […]
Videos
Resource Video
Investigating the Extractives Industry in Africa
Africa is home to a substantial amount of the global mineral wealth. The continent, according to the Natural Resource Governance Institute, holds about 30% of the world’s oil, gas, and mineral resources. This includes up to 92% of the world’s platinum and chromium reserves, 56% of cobalt, 54% of manganese, and 40% of its gold. […]
Resource Video
Investigating the Israel Hamas Conflict
Seven months into the conflict between Israel and Hamas, journalists carrying out their work in the region have faced unparalleled challenges. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, as of April 9th, preliminary investigations show at least 95 journalists and media workers were among the more than 34,000 estimated killed since the conflict began on […]
Resource Video
Investigating Elections: Threat from AI Audio Deepfakes
Elections all over the world are endangered by a vast array of sophisticated digital threats. This year, when more voters head to the polls than ever before, AI-driven deepfakes threaten electoral processes everywhere, with potentially disastrous consequences for at-risk democracies. AI-generated audio simulations — in which a real voice is cloned by a machine learning […]
Resource Video
Investigative Journalism and Digital Threats in 2024 Elections
Free and fair elections are fundamental to a functioning democracy. Investigative journalism helps to ensure the integrity of the electoral process by exposing and correcting false narratives and disinformation that can influence public opinion. This reporting not only helps voters to make informed decisions but empowers them to assess the information they encounter, fostering a […]