Empowering Investigative Journalism – a practical approach
Developed by the ABU Media Academy and News Department, this interactive online course on Investigative Journalism is designed to give reporters and producers the skills to develop in-depth reports while protecting themselves and their broadcasters from legal action.
The 18-month project is funded by UNESCO’s Global Media Defence Fund and is free for all ABU Members.
Module 2 (November, 2022 – March, 2023) has a practical focus that puts the theory of investigative journalism into practice.
You will be guided by a mentor chosen by you. You and your newsroom will develop your ideas for your own investigative journalism report (Module 3).
All sessions will be hosted on the ABU Media Academy’s online learning platform with supporting zoom tutorials and lectures based on the region’s different legal jurisdictions.
Session 1: Introduction + choosing topics – released November 10
Session 2: Methodology of Investigative Reporting – released December 1
Session 3: Presenting Investigative Reports – released December 15
Session 4: Digital Investigative Tools – released January 5
Session 5: The Ethics of Investigative Reporting – released February 9
Session 6: Mis, Dis & Mal -information – released February 16
Session 7: Legal Frameworks – released March 2
The Project has a clear focus: Skills training for journalists on how to protect themselves, their sources and their broadcast outlets from legal difficulties when doing deep research.
The best defence comes from an advanced knowledge of the research skills involved, plus ethical and legal expertise. The training is focused on how to work within legal boundaries to produce quality reporting that is less susceptible to criminal or civil charges.
A feature of Module 2 will be mentoring by the ABU’s senior trainers to guide and support journalists and newsrooms to develop and produce their own investigative reports (Module 3).
For more information or to express interest in Modules 2 and 3, please email academy@abu.org.my – subject heading: Empowering Investigative Journalism