Global Investigative Journalism Network

At a time when independent journalists are finding it increasingly difficult to do their work, an organisation has been set up to help them: the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN). This international association of non-profit organisations that supports, promotes and produces investigative journalism organises conferences, provides training, offers resources and advice, and encourages the establishment of similar non-profit organisations. In 2001, experienced journalists Brant Houston, then director of Investigative Reporters and Editors, and Nils Mulvad organised a conference of 400 investigative journalists from 40 countries, which later became GIJN. GIJN was officially founded in Copenhagen in 2003.

In 2017, GIJN received the Honorary Title from the VUB and ULB. This was mainly because the need for an advanced, multinational corps of investigative journalists has never been greater. More than ever, we live in a globalised era in which our trade – and our crimes – are multinational. Investigative journalists are now active in more than a hundred countries, following leads and working together with their colleagues in a more organised and in-depth manner. They have, in fact, become the “special forces” of global journalism. To be successful, they need the best training and technology worldwide. That is why the network is there for them.

The challenges journalists face are considerable: they are imprisoned and shot at, stories are censored, publications are banned and lawsuits are filed to intimidate them. There is a lack of funding, training and institutional support. However, this is offset by the rapid progress GIJN is making in spreading state-of-the-art investigative journalism to the far corners of the world.

GIJN acts as the international hub for investigative journalists. Its core mission is to support and strengthen investigative journalism worldwide, with a special focus on journalists from repressive regimes and marginalised communities. Since its inception, GIJN has grown into a network of 251 members in 95 countries. Today, with staff in more than 20 countries, GIJN works in 14 languages to connect the world's most enterprising journalists and provide them with the tools, technology and training to tackle abuse of power and lack of accountability.

The association is headquartered in the US and membership is open to non-profit organisations, NGOs and educational organisations active in investigative journalism and data journalism. The organisation's projects include a help desk to assist investigative journalists, an information centre with tips, tools and guides, and major training conferences attended by more than 5,000 journalists from 100 countries.

Every two years, GIJN organises the Global Investigative Journalism Conference. Since 2014, they have also organised the Asian Investigative Journalism Conference. In addition, it trains journalists worldwide in investigative methods and techniques through other conferences, workshops, webinars, seminars and online videos, through its own programmes and those of its members and partner organisations. Their conferences offer a highly competitive fellowship programme that has already trained more than a thousand journalists from developing and transition countries. The free online Resource Centre is used daily by journalists. With over a thousand tip sheets, videos and reporting guides, the centre has become the go-to place for journalists working on their stories worldwide.

At the end of 2023, GIJN was designated “undesirable” in Russia.

Sources: www.gijn.org