Roundtable in Sarajevo: International Cooperation in Investigative Journalism

Pavla Holcová, OCCRP (left) und Leila Bicakcic, Center for Investigative Reporting (right).

In the run-up to the SEEMF, twenty investigative journalists from South East Europe, Germany, the Netherlands, and the Czech Republic came together.

Investigative journalism is particularly important in the South-East Europe region.

Hendrik Sittig, KAS (left) und Maximilian Popp, Der Spiegel (right).

The roundtable proved to be a beneficial exchange platform for investigative journalists.

Representatives of well-known international media and investigative networks shared many best practice examples with journalists from SEE and discussed the future of cross-border investigative journalism.

Investigative journalism is particularly important in the South-East Europe region. Citizens turn to the media when state institutions fail. However, investigative journalism in the region faces several structural and financial challenges. One of them is the lack of a cross-border network and the limited exchange of experience and knowledge among colleagues from the SEE region and beyond. The roundtable organized by the Media Programme in cooperation with the Center for Investigative Reporting Sarajevo (CIN), proved to be a beneficial exchange platform for investigative journalists. In the run-up to the South East Europe Media Forum 2022, around twenty journalists exchanged views on various aspects. Current partnerships and potential cooperation between regional and local media were discussed, and different approaches to cross-border investigative research were presented. The coordination and management of large investigative research projects were also addressed. Representatives of well-known international media and investigative networks such as Der Spiegel, Lighthouse Reports, BIRN, and OCCRP shared many best practice examples with journalists from South Eastern Europe and discussed the future of cross-border investigative journalism.