GIJN Launches Global Academy of Investigative Journalism

Today, we are launching our global academy of investigative journalism, GIJN Academy, a unique hub dedicated to connect, expand, and support the journalism community around the world through key training, networking, and knowledge-sharing opportunities. This initiative is an important next step for the organization that brings together a space for new generations of reporters, practicing investigative journalists, as well as academics, journalism trainers, and experts in relevant areas.

At a time of major challenges around the world, including democracy under threat, the climate crisis, exiled media, rampant online disinformation, and more, GIJN Academy aims to grow our efforts focused on building the infrastructure that supports and helps develop resilience among investigative journalists by sharing the skills, resources, and connections needed to go after abuses of power and accountability with state-of-the-art tools, techniques, and networks.

Through masterclass videos, training programs (in person or online), webinars or mentorship programs, GIJN Academy will help journalists at every stage strengthen their investigative skills, connect with peers, innovate, and continue learning.

Introduction to investigative journalism, online scams, satellite imagery, collaborations, corruption schemes, food insecurity, tech and AI, environmental crimes, leaks, and data journalism, are among the topics that are part of the current offer.

This launch is only a starting point. In the coming months, and years, GIJN plans to include new trainings, masterclass videos, resources for academics, mentorship opportunities. We will have partnerships and collaborations with universities, training and journalism organizations around the world, working in different languages. GIJN will also continue having a particular focus on journalists working under repressive regimes and in marginalized communities, where the risks are greatest and the need is most acute.

GIJN Academy will help meet the demand for a comprehensive curriculum specific to investigative journalism, and increase the accessibility to these types of resources, based on:

• Knowledge-building: GIJN will build upon our deep network of experts to create training manuals that not only will guide the global academy but also will be available, at no cost, for journalism faculty and trainers around the world — creating a strong, comprehensive curriculum that can be easily replicated, promoting global consistency of journalism excellence. As part of the offer, GIJN is publishing the academic papers presented at the Global Investigative Journalism Conferences. GIJN Academy will also include a series of short video masterclasses featuring tips and tools from some of the world’s leading investigative journalists and top experts in their fields, to help advance investigations on a diverse series of topics.
• Training: GIJN Academy participants will attend synchronous or asynchronous courses in timely topics (regularly reviewed to ensure relevance) including digital security, digital threats, war crimes, climate change, etc. The interactive nature of the courses encourages collaboration, building a strong community of aligned individuals, mentors, and industry experts.
• Mentorship: Experienced journalists will be teamed with novice reporters who need guidance on their careers, sharing best practices for research and reporting.
• Community-building: Participants will be connected through their trainings and GIJN, strengthening their networks and increasing opportunities for different forms of collaboration across countries and regions.

Not only will GIJN Academy equip journalists worldwide with the investigative tools and strategies they are unable to access elsewhere, it will create new collaborative bonds among journalists, academics, trainers, and the new generation of journalists, bolstering the journalism community and leading to more transparency and investigative stories at the service of citizens around the world.

Besides all the free resources, GIJN will also offer the possibility of hiring the organization to design ad-hoc trainings as well as a series of fee-based on-demand classes allowing us to sustainably support our team and trainers while continuing to provide free, high-quality investigative journalism training opportunities worldwide.

Welcome to GIJN Academy! We invite you to explore the current masterclass videos and training programs. If you are interested in supporting this initiative and would like to collaborate with us, email academy@gijn.org.