Cross-Border Investigative Journalism Training for the Western Balkans

The Center for Media, Data, and Society at the School of Public Policy at Central European University in Budapest is announcing an open call for journalists in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia with some experience in investigative reporting to apply for a unique hybrid-style online and offline course on cross-border investigative journalism.

"Issues investigative journalists cover do not stop at the borders, so why should reporters? Large scale cross-border investigations proved the enormous value of journalistic collaborations when covering trans-national issues. Investigative reporting of this kind, however, requires journalists, traditionally more lone wolves than team players, to acquire specific skills, capacities, mindset and the know-how of various digital tools. This training offers a flexible way for investigative reporters in the Western Balkans and Turkey to develop these skills.” (Attila Mong, Course Director)

The course aims to

  • equip reporters with improved skills of the latest investigative reporting techniques to be able to research, conduct and present region-specific cross-border investigations;
  • integrate technology/multimedia approach for investigative research, documentation, internal organization, (multimedia) storytelling and data visualization;
  • help journalists minimize their risks by providing basic legal knowledge, and digital and physical security techniques;
  • prepare journalists to collaborate regionally on cross-border topics with an improved regional approach and network.

The course will

  • feature top-level journalists as instructors with experience in cross-border investigations both from the region and from other parts of Europe;
  • mix theory and methods with hands-on, practical approach for a complex learning experience;
  • deliver content in a wide range of forms and formats including readings, exercises, case studies, best practices, expert coaching, interactive expert feedback, individual and group assignments, in text and multimedia formats;
  • include the possibility of funding for teams of participants to work on specific cross-border investigations, with the goal of producing and publishing these investigations;
  • facilitate participants` learning experience by combining the online course with an offline training, and by ensuring that the online components remain available for further use after completion of the course.

The course will start with an intensive two-day training in Belgrade, Serbia, on December 10-11, 2019, followed by eight weeks of top-level online instruction. For a more detailed description of the course, please click here. Learn more about the instructors here

Successful participants will receive a professional certificate from the Central European University, signed by the Director of the Center for Media, Data and Society and verifiable for employers.

THE COURSE IS FREE.

Accommodation and travel costs related to the training in Belgrade will be covered by the program.

Candidates must possess a strong command of English, written and verbal. 

Application instructions are available on the CMDS website

APPLICATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 15, 2019

If you need more information, please send an email to cmds@ceu.edu.