The Challenges of Investigative Journalism

Thirteen journalists from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia recently attended at AUB a six-day training workshop on investigative journalism.

The workshop, organized in April by the Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ), an independent non-profit organization established by Arab media activists and media organizations in cooperation with the Copenhagen-based International Media Support (IMS), was moderated by several ARIJ members, including AUB Professor Nabil Dajani, chairman of the board of ARIJ, and AUB Assistant Professor Hossein Shahidi. "Investigative journalism is very important for building a better civil society that holds its own government and politicians accountable for their actions. It would also help improve the social environment, fight corruption, and keep people better informed," said Dajani. "That's why we decided to start training workshops in the region to develop a core of investigative journalists."

Dajani explained that ARIJ will be doing three training workshops every year. "Already, UNDP/Syria has invited me to conduct one there," he added.

Al-Rai Al-Aam Al-Kuwaitiyya journalist Rania Tadros, who attended the workshop, said she had learned a lot about investigative journalism during the training. "I learned that I cannot take anything for granted, and I should keep checking the facts... Also, I learned that if you scratch beneath the surface, there is always something worth investigating."

Trainers Rana Sabbagh, the executive director of ARIJ, and Pia Thordsen, a Danish TV journalist who was conducting the training, said they were impressed with the proactive and enthusiastic attitude of the journalists who attended.

Yehya Shucair, another trainer with ARIJ, said that in addition to conducting training workshops, ARIJ will be preparing a training manual for investigative journalism in the Arab world. No such manual currently exists.

According to the ARIJ website, the organization was established after a series of meetings held in Copenhagen, Damascus, Beirut, and Amman in order to support investigative journalism in the Arab region. "ARIJ intends to support Arab journalists who are interested in researching and reporting investigative pieces through Arab and international experts as well as in legal support, offer cooperation with local and international media, all with the ultimate aim of highlighting well prepared professional investigative reports " said the website.