Centre for Investigative Journalism

The Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJ) is a British non-profit organisation providing training to journalists, researchers, producers and students in the practice and methodology of investigative journalism. Founded in 2003, using grants from the Lorana Sullivan Foundation, the Centre organises annual three-day summer schools, an annual investigative film week and courses in datajournalism and investigative techniques. It has provided training to thousands of journalists, researchers and students from over 35 countries.^[1] The CIJ is based at the Department of Media and Communications at Goldsmiths, University of London.^[2]

The Centre supports and encourages Freedom of Information,^[3] Computer Assisted Reporting,^[4] and the protection of whistleblowers.^[5] The CIJ offers particular assistance to those working in difficult environments where free speech and freedom of the press are under threat and where truthful reporting can be a dangerous occupation.^[6] The CIJ's training programmes are designed to encourage in-depth reporting on injustice, corruption, the integrity and transparency of institutional power and to hold the powerful to account. This work has been supplemented by publication of Logan handbooks on investigative methods and techniques and mentoring journalist youth groups and young filmmakers.

The CIJ’s supporters include reporters from the BBC Radio and Television, Canal Plus (Paris), CBS 60 Minutes, Channel Four, Private Eye, Sunday Times Insight Team,^[7] the New York Times, World in Action producers and WikiLeaks.^[8]

In 2007 the CIJ acquired registered charity status and attracted support from a number of foundations including the Open Society Institute, the David and Elaine Potter Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Park Foundation, the Reva and David Logan Foundation, Democratie en Media, Goldsmiths, University of London and several smaller private trusts.

In 2009, the CIJ was instrumental in helping to found the Bureau for Investigative Journalism,^[9] an independent, foundation-supported producer of in-depth reporting in defence of the public interest.

In 2012, the CIJ instituted a programme of active pro bono assistance, counselling and defence to whistleblowers and those who have exposed crimes and wrongdoing in their workplace.

The CIJ recently launched a programme on information security, organising workshops for journalists, researchers and lawyers on encryption, Tor, OTR and other protective technologies. In 2014, the organisation also began a series of conferences which bring together journalists, technologists and hacktivists to forge alliances against mass surveillance and censorship. These events are titled the CIJ Logan Symposia.

References

External links

• Centre for Investigative Journalism official website