News & Analysis
The Case for Free Access to FOIA-Based Public Documents Reporting
Full, unpaywalled access to public records reporting is not only good for democracy, it can increase reader trust and bolster sustainability.
Tag
freedom of information
49 posts
Reporting Tools & Tips
5 Tips for Slashing FOIA Costs (Including How One Reporter Lowered a Records Request Fee from $2,800 to Just $29)
With a little research and negotiation, reporters can slash the cost of obtaining records bundles and speed up the government’s response in the process.
Reporting Tools & Tips
This Reporter Exposed the Civilian Toll of US Airstrikes. Her Warning: Be Ready for a More Hostile World
Azmat Khan is known for her rigorous reporting on civilian casualties from US airstrikes, and for exposing systemic failures in military and government accountability.
Guide Resource
GIJN Guide to Investigating Foreign Lobbying
This reporting guide is designed for journalists worldwide — so they can research and produce compelling stories on how countries and companies seek to exert influence abroad.
News & Analysis Research
Mexico’s Transparency Institute Helped Reporters Uncover Corruption and Wrongdoing: How Will Investigation Journalism Fare Once It’s Gone?
For decades, the work of INAI helped investigative reporters uncover hidden truths. They fear its abolition will hinder exposés on corruption and human rights abuses.
News & Analysis Press Freedom
Behind the FOI Desk: Using Freedom of Information Laws to Fuel Accountability Stories in Africa
Newsrooms across Africa have established formal, right-to-information help desks that leverage government document requests for public accountability and watchdog reporting.
Methodology Reporting Tools & Tips
Going Undercover in Africa: Tips from Recent Investigations
Investigative journalists who have gone undercover in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Cameroon, and Kenya share advice and practical tips.
Data Journalism Investigating Institutions News & Analysis
Investigating India: How Smaller, Independent News Outlets Are Digging into Politics in a Key Election Year
Smaller investigative news outlets have been behind challenging and impactful accountability reporting leading up to the country’s elections.
GIJC23 Reporting Tools & Tips
Tips for Better FOIA Requests: Taking Right-to-Information Access to the Next Level
Many reporters rely on FOIA requests and RTI legislation for their investigations. But how do you take these requests to the next level?
Resource Video
GIJC23 – FOIA/RTI Investigations
More than half of the world’s countries have laws that require officials to supply public documents on request. These laws offer valuable windows for reporters, even for those outside of a country’s borders. But there are almost always tricks to targeting and expediting these disclosures, and this panel brings deep experience in how to do […]