Accuracy Press Institute has concluded its first investigative journalism workshop for Syrian journalists this past week in Istanbul, Turkey.
Serbian investigative journalist Djordje Todorvic led 15 journalists of varying levels of journalistic expertise as well as investigative work through an introductory course to investigative journalism.
Investigative Journalism is specified journalism where reporters delve deep in topics of controversy, such as crimes, political corruption or any kind of wrongdoing. This type of journalism involves exposing matters previously concealed, or not known to the public.
Muhammad Douba, radio and TV broadcaster who attended the workshop on behalf of Accuracy Press, has said those who attended have expressed their willingness to take on more investigative projects in the future.
“It [the workshop] opened the door to the significance of this type of journalism in our world,” he said. “I believe every journalist left with more awareness and interest in investigative journalism.”
Hala AlQudsi is a journalist born out of the very situation in Syria today. She attended the workshop in Istanbul and said such sessions are necessary for the journalists to network.
“Investigative work doesn’t happen by individual journalists,” she said. “But rather by teams of journalists, and this gave the opportunity for Syrian journalists in Turkey to meet and potentially work together.”
Mohamad Zaid Mastou, Accuracy Press Institute CEO, said this workshop is only one of many the institute hopes to complete.
“Investigative journalism is particularly important in Syria’s media world today,” he said. “For a deeper coverage of Syria’s issues, in the political, economic and social fields, we need better equipped journalists.”
Accuracy Press Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing and maintaining a reliable media sector in Syria. The institute will present a series of trainings this year on the subjects of print media, broadcast television and Arabic for journalists, as well as training videos published in the institute’s electronic library.
