Iraqi reporters study investigative journalism at workshop in Jordan. Photo: ARIJ

After years of war and corruption saturating the nation at all levels, investigative journalism enters the Iraqi media scene

Eleven Iraqi journalists from independent newspapers across Iraq took part in a five-day workshop supported by IMS to develop their skills in investigative reporting.

Nurturing new culture of journalism

With no tradition of investigative reporting in Iraq, the workshop in Amman in July was the first step to nurturing a culture of investigative journalism in Iraq by the network Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ), established by IMS.

- Iraq is in dire need of the type of watchdog journalism that addresses the root causes of the corruption and misuse of power that has grabbed hold of Iraqi society, says IMS’ trainer Osama Al-Habahbeh.

- Critical, investigative journalism is a necessary component in the building of any democracy.  

Persecution of critical journalists

The unique gathering of Iraqi journalists with different religious, ethnic and political backgrounds looked at how to turn ordinary stories into investigations, fact-checking and debated ethical standards, freedom of thought and speech and the legal rights of journalists.

Working in groups, the journalists were asked to come up with an idea for an investigation and a relevant hypothesis. Amongst the investigations suggested were the recruitment of street children by armed groups for suicide bombings and military operations and the granting of licenses by Kurdistan authorities to hotels without applying safety regulations, endangering the lives of hotel guests and workers.

Working as an investigative journalist in Iraq is a perilous affair. In the last seven years more than 250 Iraqi journalists who wrote critical stories about the authorities or the military have been killed or persecuted. Therefore, the workshop included vital guidelines on how to protect oneself legally against the persecution of "corrupt" authorities who have been been angered by their exposure.    

ARIJ leading the way

Keen to make use of their new-found journalistic tools, the participating journalists were encouraged to apply to ARIJ for funds to complete their investigative stories.

ARIJ has been at the forefront of supporting journalists in the production of investigative stories which have targeted governments and companies in the Arab region which does not have a tradition for investigative reporting, let alone ensuring the protection of journalists who venture into publishing incriminating stories.

In the last year, ARIJ has supported nine investigations in countries like Syria, Jordan and Egypt on treatment of psychiatric patients, maintenance of roads, polluted drinking water from the Nile, and other stories.

Click here for more about ARIJ’ work or check the IMS website for more stories on investigative journalism.