ARIJ 11th ANNUAL FORUM
"The Future of Investigative Reporting:Trends, Tools, & Technology"
29 NOV - 2 DEC 2018 Dead Sea - Jordan
Overview
OVERVIEW
he 11th Annual Forum for Investigative Journalism, hosted by ARIJ, took place at the King Hussein Conference Center at the Dead
T
Sea in Jordan on Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, 2018. The Forum was ARIJ’s biggest yet: nearly 500 participants from 37 countries attended. Some 18 Arab countries were represented. In addition, ARIJ boosted the outreach of the Forum by livestreaming and recording sessions.
This meant that journalists unable to attend in person - including many Gazans, Yemenis, Syrians,
and Libyans - could still benefit. ARIJ’s Forum has
evolved into the most important journalism Forum in the Arab world and an unmissable event for media professionals in the region.
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492 50 90
- PARTICIPANTS
- SESSIONS
- SPEAKERS
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ABOUT THE FORUM – TOPIC, FOCUS, BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The year 2018 was challenging for investigative journalists in the Arab region and internationally. It was a deadly year: at least 54 journalists were killed for doing their job. The killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at his country’s embassy in Istanbul in October received widespread media coverage, but ARIJ also remembered those whose names were not so well publicized.
The increasingly hostile environment was reflected in the theme
of the Forum’s opening session, Life on the Edge. This theme was illustrated in an op-ed by ARIJ Executive Director Rana Sabbagh, which explored the constant dangers and rising repression that journalists in the region face. [See Annex 1] Local media refused to publish the hard-hitting article, so it was distributed to Forum participants by email. Several international news organizations also ran the piece.
The umbrella theme of the workshops, sessions and plenary was The Future of Investigative Reporting: Trends, Tools and Technologies. As in previous years, the program included workshops conveying the skills and tools needed for investigative journalism, as well as themed sessions focused on pressing public issues. More than 40 workshops, plenaries and discussions were held, with entertainment provided in the evenings. [See Annex 2 for the full agenda]
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OPENING CEREMONY
The opening ceremony began with a stunning performance by the Circassian dance troupe Jeel Al-Jadeed (New Generation). This was followed by welcoming addresses from ARIJ Executive Director Rana Sabbagh, Mediterranean-Asia Director of Canal France International David Hivet, and Executive Director of International Media Support (IMS) Jesper Hojberg.
Sabbagh then led a moment of silence to commemorate Jamal Khashoggi and all Arab journalists who lost their lives for doing their jobs in recent years. In her address, Sabbagh described the lives of journalists in the Arab world in 2018. Stressing the importance of freedom of speech, accountability, independence, and fearlessness, she told the stories of journalists from Syria, Yemen, and Gaza who risk their lives and their freedom in pursuit of truth. She congratulated every journalist
who continues to pursue this public service, even in these difficult social, political, and
economic times. Sabbagh gave a special, heartfelt welcome to journalists from the
besieged Gaza Strip, who were able to travel for the Forum for the first time in five
years. Welcoming participants and guests, Hivet highlighted the vital importance of investigative journalism to transparency, peace and democracy, and both Hivet
and Hojberg congratulated ARIJ, stressing the significance of the Forum for regional
journalism. Hojberg talked about the positive history IMS’s history with ARIJ and said the partnership would continue. He too expressed gratitude to journalists who persevere in the region. He especially mentioned journalists in Yemen and Syria risking their lives to report the truth. Members of the ARIJ Board of Directors and longstanding ARIJ partners also welcomed guests to the Forum. As well as participants, some 50 special guests attended the opening ceremony including representatives of European embassies, international organizations, partner organizations, donors and sponsors.
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It's my first time to engage with ARIJ. Indeed, the first time for Global Witness to attend one of your events I think. It was brilliant. I was humbled and inspired by what I heard and saw and the people I met.
Sophia Pickles - Global Witness
Thanks so much for the invite and your amazing hospitality at the ARIJ Forum, I hugely enjoyed the event.
George Turner - Finance Uncovered
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HIGHLIGHTED SESSIONS
Step by Step: How to Fact-Check Correctly
Rawan Damen
Rawan Damen shared tools and techniques to separate truth from
fiction. Targeting misinformation and
“fake news”,she discussed how to weigh
information and verify online and offline
news.
Whistleblowing for Investigative
Journalism: A Case Study and Discussion
Plenary Session: What Can Block-
chain and Artificial Intelligence do
for Journalists?
Journalism is facing crises of trust and sustainability. This session examined how emerging technologies like blockchain and
artificial intelligence could improve the
quality of news and restore trust in the media. Participants emphasized the need to respond to these technologies quickly, noting that the news media’s slow response to the emergence of the internet had farreaching consequences that the industry is still grappling with. The plenary session was moderated by Lukasz Krol, digital projects coordinator at the College of Europe. The speakers were: Ali Ghamlouch, digital manager of MBC Group; Vivian Schiller, CEO of Civil Media Foundation; and Henrik Grunnet, strategic advisor for International Media Support. The panellists discussed ways
that blockchain technology and artificial intelligence could benefit journalism, by building public confidence, opening new financing avenues and enabling publishers
and readers to retain more control over their data. Grunnet presented the IMS’s Media Bridge project as an example of howtechnology can connect media outlets with journalists around the world.
Journalism is facing crises of trust and sustainability. This session examined how emerging technologies like blockchain and
artificial intelligence could improve the quality of
news and restore trust in the media. Participants emphasized the need to respond to these technologies quickly, noting that the news media’s slow response to the emergence of the internet had far-reaching consequences that the industry is still grappling with. The plenary session was moderated by Lukasz Krol, digital projects coordinator at the College of Europe. The speakers were: Ali Ghamlouch, digital manager of MBC Group; Vivian Schiller, CEO of Civil Media Foundation; and Henrik Grunnet, strategic advisor for International Media Support. The panellists discussed
ways that blockchain technology and artificial intelligence could benefit journalism, by building public confidence, opening new financing
avenues and enabling publishers and readers to retain more control over their data. Grunnet presented the IMS’s Media Bridge project as an example of howtechnology can connect media outlets with journalists around the world.
Digital Security with a Focus on
Gender-Based Violence Online
The 7amleh Center presented its research on online gender violence in Palestine. Through face-to-face surveys, the center discovered that one in four women withdraws from social media accounts due to online harassment. This harassment corresponds with women’s
experiences offline: it is an exertion of
control by male relatives or partners. Women told the 7amleh Center that their privacy settings were not their personal decisions, and they were often forced to share their passwords. The 7amleh centre has launched an awareness-raising campaign about online harassment.
Hosted by DW Akademie
- Hosted by Free Press Unlimited
- Hosted by Free Press Unlimited
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Reporting Is Telling A Story- Host- ed by The Norwegian Institute
for Journalists
This workshop, hosted by Torben Schou and Frode Rekve, focused on how to transform an investigation into a story, and the importance of thoughtful, engaging storytelling to ensure that reporting reaches audiences. They shared tips on how to structure and pace a story, as well as technical advice on how to use camera angles, shots and sound to create compelling video stories and TV documentaries.
Labor Migration: Investigating Suffering, Pointing to Solutions
In this session, journalists in two fellowship programs on labor migration talked about
their work investigating human trafficking, highlighting the abuse of foreign workers,
and changing attitudes in news rooms about this critical, underreported issue. A new curriculum on migration reporting created by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development was presented. To accompany this session, the Ethical Journalism Network also hosted an evening screening of the documentary “The Workers Cup” about migrant laborers building facilities in Qatar for the FIFA World Cup.
The New Frontline: Support for
Local Investigative Journalists
Journalists face multiple, hybrid threats,
and not just on the frontlines of conflict.
Investigative journalists reporting on corruption and criminal activities face considerable danger. In this session, representatives from three international organizations dedicated to the safety of
journalists discussed their efforts to help
journalists protect themselves, and the ways the organizations collaborate to foster a culture of safety for reporters.
Hosted by The Ethical Journalism Network
How Multinational Companies Avoid Taxes
This session examined how companies structure themselves to avoid paying corporation taxes. George Turner guided participants though the common strategies corporations employ to minimize their tax liabilities, and the steps governments are taking to mitigate these practices.
Hosted by Finance Uncovered
Plenary: ARIJ Winners Reveal Secrets of Their Success
The Art of Investigative Story-Telling
In this session, moderated by ARIJ chairwoman Yasmine Dabbous, ARIJ stars Hanan Khandagji, Asaad AlZalzalee, and Saada Abdelkader talked about what success means to them and how they overcame challenges in their work. These journalists have produced award-winning stories in the face of fearful and reluctant sources, secretive bureaucrats,
conflicting evidence and complex and confusing stories.
The ARIJeans suggested that judging a story’s success on its impact was a mistake, as it meant journalists would experience failure they were not responsible for. Personal
success must be assessed independently of factors you cannot influence, Khandaji said.
For Al-Zalzalee, success is the act of working as a journalist in the Arab region, especially
in war-torn Gaza, Syria or Yemen. Self-confidence is key to success, and “failure is part of
the deal” he added.
This was one of the forum’s most popular sessions, indicating that skills workshops are still a highlight for many participants. Julian Sher, an author and award-winning Canadian journalist, explained how journalists can use writing, character development, narrative arc and story structure to turn an investigation into a gripping story that engages readers and viewers. Sher encouraged journalists to present stories in a personal way, and to
consider all five senses. Good stories need
a focus, and should also have character,
context, conflict and a conclusion, he said.
Reporters should show and not tell, and must start the writing process early to identify gaps in their research, he added.
How Multinational Companies Avoid Taxes
This session examined how companies structure themselves to avoid paying corporation taxes. George Turner guided participants though the common strategies corporations employ to minimize their tax liabilities, and the steps governments are taking to mitigate these practices.
Hosted by "Women in News"
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Web and Social Media for
Investigative Journalists
Environmental and Climate Change Issues Worth Covering
This workshop shared tips and tricks on how
to conduct more effective web searches and find reliable information on deadline and
for enterprise stories. It presented the latest search engines, data sites, social media tools, and other practical information to help in fast backgrounding of people, businesses and other organizations.
The big story for decades to come is likely to be climate change and its effect on
populations. Rahma Diaa, Islam Alzeny and Sophia Pickles presented their work on climate change issues and lobbied for systematic coverage in the region. The session was moderated by Mokhtar Ibrahim. Diaa presented her work on coal plants in Egypt that are built close to settlements, causing severe health problems among residents. She also talked about the use of chemical fertilizers and phosphate acids that can lead to cancer. Alzeny emphasized that climate change is devastating the Arab region, yet there is little debate or media coverage about it. Local media outlets are unfamiliar with
environmental issues, and it is difficult to engage audiences in such a complex
topic, he said. Alzeny recommended investment in training for Arab journalists to investigate climate change in the region. Pickles, from Global Witness, presented her organization’s work investigating the impact of supply chains on climate change. Society must be made more aware of environmental issues, and journalists should be taught to use the right language when talking about climate change, she said.
Hosted by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation
Ethical Newsrooms for Ethical Journalism: Building Trust in the Digital Age
In 2018, the Jordanian news website 7iber invited the Ethical Journalism Network (EJN) to help conduct an Ethical Media Audit of their organization. In this session, Tom Law and Zahera Harb from the EJN and Lina Ejeilat of 7iber presented the results, recommendations and impacts of the audit, which covered 7iber’s newsroom functions, editorial output, internal accountability and more.
Ejeilat explained that every ethical audit must be tailored to the specific organization, and no measures should be forced on anyone.
However, every organization must have ethical governance if it is to succeed. For 7iber, the audit focused on how to rebuild trust in the profession and establish relationships with the audience. A key recommendation was to share a behind-the-scenes look at the process of news gathering. This would enable readers to assess the reporter’s work and teach the reader to be media literate and distinguish quality journalism. Meanwhile, accountability can be built by being transparent about the ethical issues that journalists face.
Hosted by The Ethical Journalism Network
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Facts & Figures - Forum Demographics and Statistics
The 11th Annual Forum for Investigative Journalism attracted an unprecedented number of participants, nearly half of whom were female. The Forum convened participants from some 37 countries, including 18 Arab countries. Most participants worked in digital media, TV and radio, or print media, and more than half were reporters or editors.
94 Speakers from 24 Countries
Total Engagement
Total Reach
2019 (EXPECTED)
2018
2019 (EXPECTED)
+65K
+1.6M
2018
43K
1.3M
2017
10K
2017
667K
Video Views
2019 (EXPECTED)
2018
Impressions
2019 (EXPECTED)
2018
+70K
+2.1M
51K
1.8M
2017
32K
2017
843K
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The idea of tackling digital media was of great significance for me as an investigative
journalist as it's the foreseen future of media
in the world
Mohammad Badi - Mauritania
It was my first time to attend ARIJ Forum and I'm very happy to be granted this opportunity. The challenge that ARIJ succeeded in was targeting new topics, which included tools, tricks, and techniques on online investigations and how to track the tax
evasion of multinational companies
Khawla BouKrim - Tunis
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Partners & Sponsors
Core Donors
Conference Partners & Sponsors
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Speakers
In 2018, once again ARIJ welcomed some of the most renowned journalists and experts from the Arab world
and internationally as speakers, securing a wide range of expertise in a variety of fields. Some 94 speakers
participated, including 38 women (40 percent), from 24 countries.
Drew Sullivan
- Sarah Giaziri
- Lina Ejeilat
Doug Haddix
Editor-in-Chief, OCCRP
- Executive Editor, 7iber
- Executive Director,
Investigative Reporters and Editors
Director, Frontline
Drew Sullivan co-founded the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Program (OCCRP) in 2007 and serves as its editor-in-chief. OCCRP is a global journalism platform that has won over 100 journalism awards. For its work on the Panama Papers, OCCRP was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, along with the International Consortium of Investigative Reporters and 100 other media outlets. Before establishing OCCRP, Sullivan founded
Freelance Register
- Sarah Giaziri is director
- Lina Ejeilat is a co-founder
and executive editor of 7iber, an award-winning online magazine that publishes of the Frontline Freelance Register and of freelance journalism initiatives at the Frontline Club in London. The FFR is a membership organization representing freelance journalists and its core objective is to support the physical and mental well-being of international freelancers who take risks in their work. The FFR also promotes professionalism among freelancers and aims to ensure its members gather news responsibly, in line with industry-established safety standards.
Doug Haddix oversees training, conferences, and
- services for more than
- in-depth multimedia content
and critical analysis on Jordan and the Arab region. Ejeilat teaches digital media at the Jordan Media Institute and leads workshops and training programs across the Arab region. She is a member of the MENA Advisory Group of the International Committee to Protect Journalists and speaks frequently about press and internet freedom.
5,500 members worldwide, and for programs including the National Institute of Computer-Assisted Reporting (NICAR). Previously, Haddix worked as training director at IRE, assistant vice president at Ohio State University, and director of the Kiplinger
Program in Public Affairs
Journalism. the Center for Investigative Reporting in BosniaHerzegovina and the Journalism Development Network.
Rawan Damen
CEO and Founder, Stream Media Consultancy
Rawan Damen is a filmmaker and media consultant, and the founder and CEO of Stream Media
Consultancy. For the past two decades she has made documentaries and TV programs, and specialized in online storytelling. She has produced and directed more than 30 hours of TV documentaries that have been translated into multiple languages, including the award-winning series Al-Nakba. Damen founded and led the innovative Palestine Remix project, the largest visual interactive website focusing on Palestine.
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- Christiaan Triebert
- Madonna Khafaja Mark Lee Hunter
Vivian Schiller
Senior Investigator and Lead Trainer, Bellingcat
Christiaan Triebert is an award-winning journalist who
focuses on war and conflict.
At Bellingcat, he specializes in using open source information to investigate a wide range of topics, from airstrikes in the Middle East to
wildlife trafficking in Southern
Africa. Triebert’s work has appeared in Al Jazeera, The New York Times, The Daily Beast, and Foreign Policy, and he has worked with the monitoring organization Airwars. His work was
Founding Member, Story-Based Inquiry Associates
Lina Ejeilat is a co-founder and executive editor of 7iber, an award-winning online magazine that publishes
CEO, Civil Media Foundation
MENA Team Lead, International Center For Journalists
Vivian Schiller heads the
- Civil Foundation, which
- Madonna Khafaja is the ICFJ
MENA lead and the cofounder of Tabayoon. She is an experienced media upholds the journalism ethics and standards of Civil, the decentralized marketplace for sustainable journalism, and makes philanthropic grants to news organizations around the world. Previously, she was global chair of news at Twitter, senior vice president
