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Challenges of Investigative Journalism

The workshop of investigative journalism was held on May 25th and 26th, 2001. in Belgrade. The workshop had financial support of IREX.

The preliminary idea of this gathering was the presentation of the concept of investigative journalism to a group of our younger journalists. Work on investigative and MEDIA reporting can generally be of great assistance to anti-corruption ACTIVITIES. In the course Challenges of Investigative Journalism, those journalists present were able to acquaint themselves with the experiences of their colleagues from Hungary and Slovakia, Ms. Eva Vajda and Mr. William Strelinger. We learnt of many advantages of work in this field, from being well-known and recognized, having the opportunity to work on what is considered to be true journalism in the form of analysis and investigation, to the obvious influence on the public and the course of events in the country. The other side is what can be referred as the dark side of investigative journalism: police investigation, arrests, threats and charges.

Ms. Vajda and Mr. Strelinger also introduced the participants to the concept of investigative journalism. Together with Ms. Vajda and through a combination of proposed definitions and day-to-day experience, we managed to define a concept of investigative journalism. She also spoke ABOUT the methods used, the necessity of legal advice and the issue of ethics in investigative journalism. Mr. Strelinger added that a legal recipe for successful work in the field of investigative journalism is unflagging work, a lot of reading and constant analysis. He believes that there is no unique recipe or model for research – every-one must find their own way and adapt to the needs of the case at hand. In the need, Ms. Vajda and Mr. Strelinger agreed that, despite all the difficulties, investigative journalism was the best part of their experience in journalism and certainly the path to be followed. They encouraged the journalists present to persevere in their pioneering work, emphasizing that successful and high-quality work guarantees results.