BIRN Summer School of Investigative Reporting Opens

During a one-week programme beginning on starts on Sunday, August 22, journalists will be trained in computer-assisted investigative journalism covering organised crime and corruption for print and broadcast media.
 
The main topics will cover the changing face of Balkan media ownership and violence against media professionals.

The participants are 27 journalists from Balkan and Western Europe, with a minimum of three-years experience.
 
Gordana Igric, BIRN’s regional director, said: “We are pleased with the candidates and very excited to be organising this programme for the first time. I hope this school will become our annual tradition.”
 
The trainers are renowned investigative journalists such is Don Ray, Mark Hunter, Luuk Sengers, Gavin Rees, Milorad Ivanovic, Maunela Mareso and the OCCRP training team with Drew Sullivan, Rosemary Armao and Paul Radu.

Don Ray reminded his young colleagues of the fact that investigative journalism may be a dangerous profession and called on them not to give up.

“Do not embrace obstacles, but find a way for solution,” said Ray.

Dragana Nikolic Solomon, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia's Media Department, emphasised the importance of investigative journalism's role in raising awareness among the public of corruption and organised crime.

"Participants have different experience, depending of the country they work in, but as journalists they are all threatened,because investigative reporting is a dangerous and underpaid job,” said Nikolic Solomon.

The BIRN Summer School of Investigative Reporting is financially supported by the Open Society Institute from London and the OSCE mission in Serbia.