GIJN Co-Hosts International Journalists at IRE26 Luncheon

GIJN and the Investigative Reporting Workshop (IRW) at American University co-hosted a luncheon for international journalists at the four-day 2026 Investigative Reporters and Editors Conference outside Washington, DC. The annual event, which brings together reporters and editors for knowledge sharing and networking at the premier US watchdog reporting convention, was attended by 58 journalists from nearly two-dozen countries and territories, including GIJN staff members Managing Editor Reed Richardson, Spanish Editor Andrea Arzaba, and Global Reporter and Impact Editor Rowan Philp.

IRE President Josh Hinkle and incoming IRW executive editor Joe Stephens offered welcome remarks at the luncheon, and then GIJN Board Chair Brant Houston emceed the event, highlighting both the ongoing relevance and precarious nature of investigative journalism as press freedom and democracy is increasingly threatened around the world.

After the lunch, attendees introduced themselves, demonstrating the global reach of the conference, as six different continents were represented: North America (US, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico); South America (Brazil, Venezuela); Europe (UK, Norway, Germany, Montenegro, Bosnia Herzegovina, Spain, Lithuania, Russia, and the Netherlands); Africa (South Sudan); Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, Singapore, Vietnam), and Australia.

A gallery of photos from the event is below.