SCOOP - investigative reporting in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus
Investigative reporters are the watchdogs of society. In Eastern and south-eastern Europe investigative reporters get support from SCOOP, a network and support structure established by IMS in cooperation with local journalists and FUJ in 2003. Direct support in the form of coaching and financial support enable the journalists to carry out in-depth investigations and bring the results forward to the public. SCOOP extends to numerous countries in the region thereby connecting investigative journalists in the region as well as globally.Archive
- "We are laying the foundation for a new kind of investigative journalism"
- Macedonian media at an all time low
- Ukraine: Widespread corruption in professional sports
- The business of religion in Macedonia
- Scoop journalist takes prize for report on toxic pesticides in Croatia
- Investigators uncover illegal matchmaking network in Albania
- A "Scoop" for investigative journalism in Russia
- Lack of funds suffocates investigative journalism in Kosovo
- The risky business of investigative journalism
- The fall of a president
- When dead people vote
- The lost children of Sarajevo
- Investigative journalism at its best in East and West
- Investigative journalism in Caucasus – making the stories happen
- Investigative journalism summer school boosts ties between East and West
- SCOOP to host global conference on investigative journalism
- 12 journalists - 12 countries investigated
- Struggle for investigative journalism in China is a regulated market
- Challenges facing investigative reporting
- Lost - and found by investigative journalist
- Investigative journalism in Eastern Europe
- Scoop Regional conference in Budapest
Challenges facing investigative reporting
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When investigative reporters from Sierra Leone, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and at least 84 other countries met in Lillehammer on September 10-14 it was a boost for the global community of investigative reporters. With support from IMS, journalists from the networks SCOOP and ARIJ met with fellow-reporters to discuss, listen and learn
The 5th Global Investigative Journalism Conference was packed with over 100 inspiring and learning seminars and panels, where we aim to focus on journalistic work methods. Not to mention the cross boarder networking! Among the participants in Lillehammer were 18 journalists from Scoop, a support structure for investigative reporters in Eastern Europe and Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism both of which are supported by IMS.
In view of the turn out, the interest in investigative reporting seems to be growing worldwide. However, investigative reporters still face major challenges, said Dr. Mark Hunter from INSEAD/Université de Paris, who delivered a key note speech on strategies enabling investigative reporting to survive and thrive in a media landscape where there is a profound shift towards community-based information.
According to Mark Hunter, the news industry is committing suicide since it is losing the battle for talent, branding and public trust. This means losing its public, however part of the solution for this is investigative reporting if it can be shown that it works, he said.
Two examples of models that work well are the ones practiced by both Michael Moore and Fox News. They are both biased but unique and the style used to present the material reinforces content. And perhaps most importantly; they both target a community with shared values. And neither Michael Moore, nor Fox News claim to sell objectivity. And here Mark Hunter argues that investigative reporting should learn something; investigative media should use objective facts to subjective ends!
The current "business model" for investigative reporting is not enough according to Mark, we simply need to sell the concept better. For most editors an investigation would be an economic burden and not a profit engine. However, if added value such as differentiation and advertising revenue is proven, the mindset will change. Editorial independence equals added value, and if we can create a business model for investigative reporting that reflects this - the number of countries participating at he next global conference in Geneva might be even greater, said Mark Hunter.
To read more insights from Lillehammer, please follow the links below:
Trans-boundary collaboration through SCOOP in Eastern Europe:
http://www.i-m-s.dk/?q=node/426
ARIJ reporters at Lillehammer:
http://www.i-m-s.dk/?q=node/428
Investigative reporting in China:
http://www.i-m-s.dk/?q=node/424
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