An investigative outfit with an advocacy program may raise eyebrows. But in South Africa, amaBhungane has scored major wins for transparency and free speech.
How They Did It
Using a Mobile Phone Survey to Investigate South Sudan’s Conflict
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In South Sudan, conflict and government repression make it difficult to do on-the-ground reporting, so a team of journalists designed a mobile phone survey to gather data on forced displacement and destruction across the country. Carolyn Thompson explains why their award-winning investigation may offer lessons to others working in repressive environments or facing movement restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
print journalism
Coronavirus May Spell the End for Many of Africa’s Print Newspapers
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Newspapers around the world are vulnerable to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, and many of Africa’s print publications might not survive it. Ntibinyane Ntibinyane from the INK Center for Investigative Journalism in Botswana writes about what’s to come and what can be done to support the industry.
Tools & Techniques
My Favorite Tools with South African Investigative Journalist Susan Comrie
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For our series about journalists’ favorite tools, we spoke with investigative reporter Susan Comrie, whose corruption exposes have helped shake South Africa’s political scene. She described some of the tools and techniques she has deployed in ground-breaking investigations as part of the team at investigative journalism center amaBhungane.
media development
Donor’s ‘Big Bet’ on Nigerian Anti-Corruption Reporting Could Be Game-Changer
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Nigeria has a stubborn legacy of corruption that dates back decades. The MacArthur Foundation is investing some $67 million in investigative journalism, transparency, and good governance in the country — an ambitious experiment that could serve as a model for other states plagued by corruption.
advocacy
In Kenya, NGOs Bet on Investigative Journalism to Boost Transparency
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In Kenya, the NGOs Transparency International and Fojo Media Institute have paired up to train budding investigative journalists and offer them reporting grants. GIJN’s Rowan Philp reports.
Member Profiles
The New Humanitarian Expands Its Investigations into the Aid Sector
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Initially founded by the UN, The New Humanitarian became independent five years ago and is stepping up its investigative work into the multi-billion dollar aid industry. Rowan Philp profiles the organization working to hold the humanitarian sector to account.
News & Analysis
In Benin, Journalist Sentenced to 18 Months for Publishing 3 Tweets
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Investigative journalist Ignace Sossou was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined $338 for “harassment ” by a court in Benin. His crime? Sossou posted three tweets quoting the country’s public prosecutor, who had been speaking candidly about digital regulations.
security
Nigerian Military Targeted Journalists with Forensic Search for Sources
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Journalists for the Daily Trust in Nigeria told the Committee to Protect Journalists that the military conducted forensic searches on their computers and mobile phones following the publication of a story about a military operation. CPJ’s Jonathan Rozen writes that these raids are emblematic of a global trend of law enforcement seizing journalists’ phones and computers — some of their most important tools.
Member Profiles
Mobile-First and Local Language: Innovative INK Spreads Investigative Journalism in Botswana
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Two investigative editors took huge pay cuts to launch Botswana’s first nonprofit newsroom. A year later, they took another, temporary cut just to pay for a single satellite image that proved that the country’s president had abused state funds to build a private lodge. Here’s Rowan Philp on the INK Centre for Investigative Journalism for GIJN’s member series.
How They Did It
Investigating the Money Men of African Kleptocrats
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The African Investigative Publishing Collective recently conducted a multi-part investigation into the associates that handle business for African kleptocrats. Evelyn Groenink shares how the story took form and the massive challenges faced by reporters spread across multiple countries.
