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 more discerning and knowledgeable electorate.

This year, in 2024, thousands of journalists from all over the world have and will be reporting on and investigating the impact of digital threats (disinformation, spyware, trolling and digital violence, among many others) in elections. Sharing ideas, strategies, and techniques for investigation is critical in a year where voters in more than 60 countries will go to the polls.

In this panel, leading journalists and experts — who will all be covering elections in 2024 — share perspectives on the impact of digital threats in elections in different continents. They will also share tips and tools about how to better expose the individuals and organizations behind disinformation campaigns.

Please note: GIJN created a digital threats training program to help reporters investigate the digital environment. There currently is an open call for applications for the program’s third training opportunity — which closes on March 24.

GIJN also published a Reporter’s Guide to Investigating Digital Threats, featuring expert advice from journalists and security analysts working to combat disinformation, malware, spyware, and trolling.

Priyanjana Bengani is the Tow Computational Journalism Fellow at Columbia University’s Tow Center for Digital Journalism. Her work focuses on using computational techniques to research the digital media landscape, including partisan local news and the intersection of platform companies with the media. She co-teaches a course on information warfare reporting at Columbia Journalism School, and has previously co-taught a class on algorithms for the Lede Program.

Malek Khadhraoui is a journalist, trainer, and publication director of Inkyfada, a Tunisian magazine dedicated to investigative and longform journalism. He is also executive director of Al Khatt, a nonprofit organization that supports independent journalism and provides solutions for creating impactful journalistic content. Khadhraoui is also a consultant for several national and international organizations working in the field of training and media support.

María Teresa Ronderos is director and co-founder of the Latin American Center for Investigative Journalism (CLIP). She has coordinated several cross-border investigations in the region on issues such as migration, corruption, disinformation, and religious organizations. She has been a reporter and editor of several Colombian media outlets and has published her stories in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, and Spain. She is the author of the books Retratos del Poder (Planeta, 2002), 5 en Humor (Aguilar, 2007), and the best-seller Guerras Recicladas (Aguilar, 2014).

The moderator is Craig Silverman, a national reporter for ProPublica, covering voting, platforms, disinformation, and online manipulation. He was previously media editor of BuzzFeed News, where he pioneered coverage of digital disinformation.

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The Global Investigative Journalism Network is an international association of journalism organizations that support the training and sharing of information among investigative and data journalists—with special attention to those from repressive regimes and marginalized communities.

Our key activities include:

Providing resources and networking services to investigative journalists worldwide;
Publishing in multiple languages and on multiple platforms the latest tools, techniques and opportunities for those in the field;
Helping organize and promote regional and international training conferences and workshops;
Assisting in the formation and sustainability of journalism organizations involved in investigative reporting and data journalism around the world;
Supporting and promoting best practices in investigative and data journalism;
Supporting and promoting efforts to ensure free access to public documents and data worldwide.

Find more information on our website: https://gijn.org