The introduction of the day’s first session speaker was done by Bibiana Dahle Piene (Norway).
Session 7. Investigative Journalism – Margo Smit, Director of VVOJ, Netherlands
She first defined investigative journalism and its relevance to what journalists are doing.
VVOJ definition: Investigative journalism is critical and in depth journalism. Critical means journalism that does not merely pass on news that is already there, but creates news that would not have been there without the journalist’s intervention. This may happen by creating new facts, but also by interpreting or connecting already known information in a new way. In depth means a substantial journalistic effort was made, either in a quantitative sense - e.g. time spent on research, number of sources consulted - or in a qualitative sense - e.g. sharp questions formulated, new approaches taken up - or a combination of both. (Vereniging van Onderzoeksjournalisten VVOJ, www.vvoj.nl)
“Investigative journalism is not something you just ‘do’, there is nothing random about it (systematic), it is you who has to do it for it will not blow your way (active), if done well it will change the way things are going (impact) and does not deal with frills and incidents (looks for the system).”
She discussed why it is important not only for “Big Journalism” reasons but also on how it impacts on the decision making process of ordinary people.
Racheal Nakitare, Vice President of IAWRT, was asked on her opinion on the organization’s direction with regard to pursuing investigative journalism stories.
Alina Radu (Moldova) shared their experience in the trafficking of young women in Moldova. She said that they followed the story after they found that 16 young women were trafficked, and two could have been killed. Despite difficulties in getting reliable sources they were able to pursue the story until the conviction of the mastermind.
Session 8. Using Advocacy Tools to Create Social Movements
Facilitated by Elizabeth Roxas (Philippines), the resources persons were Cai Yiping (China) and Kallianey Kim (Cambodia). Yiping discussed the tenuous role of being a journalist and an activist.
Session 9. Training Women in Broadcast Technology
Facilitated by Munira Murad, the participants were brought to the IPPTAR training center.
Session 10 Visit to RTM Studios
The RTM Studios, with its long history of broadcasting in Malaysia has world-class facilities. The participants saw the various production studios and were given an overview of the institution’s history and its role in the progress of Malaysia.
Gala Night and Awarding of IAWRT best film and radio program.
