
Illustration: Marcelle Louw for GIJN
Guide
GIJN Elections Guide for Investigative Reporters — Revised for 2024
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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. While election rules and conditions are unique in every country, this GIJN reporting guide, updated and revised for 2024, is designed to offer a broad array of tools, techniques, and resources — beyond the primary local sources you find — to help watchdog reporters dig into almost any campaign or election.
This guide was written and revised by GIJN senior staff reporter Rowan Philp and edited by Nikolia Apostolou, Reed Richardson, and Laura Dixon. Illustrations are by Marcelle Louw.
Chapters
Chapter Guide Resource
Revised Elections Guide for Investigative Reporters: Where to Begin
This guide is designed to offer a broad array of tools, techniques, and resources to help reporters dig into almost any election or political campaign.
Chapter Guide Resource
Revised Elections Reporting Guide for Investigative Reporters: New Digging Tools
Featuring overlooked election-digging strategies, go-to open source tools, and a technique for identifying the individuals behind dangerous or hateful campaign sites.
Chapter Guide Resource
Revised Elections Guide for Investigative Reporters: Preparing for Elections
Covering rules and technical trends, such as how voting procedures are changing in different regions and how to spot evidence of foreign interference.
Chapter Guide Resource
Revised Elections Guide for Investigative Reporters: Investigating Candidates
Featuring tools to unearth candidates’ campaign finance histories; tips to connect with key sources; and resources to find hidden assets and red flags.
Chapter Guide Resource
Revised Elections Guide for Investigative Reporters: Political Messaging and Disinformation
Containing tips for tracking political conversations, campaign advertisements, and disinformation narratives online.