Download - Trainers Manual - A Guide to Investigative Journalism

SkillCityMasterTrainersManual onINVESTIGATIVEJOURNALISM withaFocusonAccountability andTransparencyinAfghanistan Author:WaliZahid SkillCityUAE/Pakistan forSabaMediaOrganisationKabul,Afghanistan 2009

SkillCityTrainersManualonInvestigativeJournalismwithaFocusonAccountabilityandTransparencyinAfghanistan

www.skillcity.pk

Otherhelpfuldocumentsusableinthisjournaliststraining Thesetrainernotesshouldbeseeninconjunctionwithfourotherdocumentsbythisauthor: 1. AGuidetoINVESTIGATIVEJOURNALISMwithaFocusonAccountabilityand TransparencyinAfghanistan2009whichisSkillCity/SMOmanualforinvestigative journalistsandisacentraltextforthistraining. 2. GreatTrainingin10DaysbyWaliZahidwhichbrieflydescribesinsimplelanguage onhowtodesignanddeliverandeffectivetraining. 3. TraintheTrainerWorkbookbyWaliZahidwhichisafullworkshopmanualfor MasterTTTexplainingwhatyouneedtoknowabout1)thelearners,2)thetraining delivery,the3)trainerrole,and4)theenvironment. 4. TraintheTrainerPowerPointbyWaliZahidwhichisafullworkshopmanualfor MasterTTTexplainingwhatyouneedtoknowabout1)thelearners,2)thetraining delivery,the3)trainerrole,and4)theenvironmentinPPt. Additionally,youcanalsoreadandbenefitfromsimilarworkproducedelsewherebyother organisationsalsoprovidedinaCD: TheInternationalCenterforJournalists,USA,FollowtheMoney:ADigitalGuidefor TrackingCorruptionbyPaulCristianRadu(2008).Dealswiththefollowingatrailof corruptionbycrossbordercooperationandusinginternet. TheInstituteforWar&PeaceReporting,TheHandbookforAfghanJournalists (2002).DealswithbasicsofreportingintheAfghancontext.

2009SkillCity/IMC

2


www.skillcity.pk

PrefacetotheGuide OK,soyouwanttobeaninvestigativejournalistinAfghanistantopromoteaccountability andtransparency?Thisisgoodnewsandwewelcomeyourbraveendeavour. However,pauseforamomentandreflect:haveyouthoughtwhatittakestobean investigativereporterintheveryverychallengingAfghancontext?Youknowthatyouare doinganinvaluableservicetothesocietybyexposingcorruptionbyindividualsand organisationsandthusworkingtowardsmoreaccountabilityandtransparency.However,do youalsoknowthatthereareriskstoyourlifeaswell?Fromwarlords,druglords,politicians, politicalopponentsormaybeevenpublicofficials.Bewarnedthatthispathislitteredwith allsortsofrisks.WehaveincludedareportaboutthreatstoAfghanjournalistsinthe appendicesaswellas2008ReportbyCommitteetoProtectJournalists(CPJ)USA,soyou haveachancetoknowexactlywhereyouareheading. ThisGuide,compiledwiththemostupdatedsourcesatthetimeofgoingtopressinearly 2009,willtakeyoustepbysteptowardsbecominganeffectiveinvestigativejournalist, gainingandpracticingthenecessaryskillsandthusgainingtheselfconfidencerequiredto doajobthatisbotheffectiveandfulfillingforyou. Wellshowyoueachstepwiththehelpofexamplesofgoodreportingbothfrom Afghanistan,countriesintheregionaswellasinternationalexampleswhichturnedaround situationsandremovedpowerfulpeoplefromthepublicsceneaftertheycrossedtheline. ThisGuidehasbeendividedintosixparts: 1. Accountability,transparencyandresearchmethods:thebasics 2. Investigativejournalism:theoryandpractice 3. Journalismethics 4. Freedomofexpression 5. Accesstoinformation 6. Mediaselfregulation:conceptandpractice ThisGuidecanbeusedeitherasastandaloneselfaccessguideorasapartofatraining workshopforworkingandbuddingjournalists.AskSabaMediaOrganisationKabulifa trainingopportunityexistsinthenearfuture. Happyinvestigativejournalism!Staysafe!2009SkillCity/IMC 3


www.skillcity.pk

TheGuideobjectives[thesewillbeyourworkshopobjectives] ThisWorkshopisdesignedfor: ProfessionalnewsandfeaturereportersworkinginthecapitalKabulandtheprovincesand prospectivejournalistsinAfghanistanworkingforanymediaprint,radio,TV,digital,web 2.0,citizenmedia. Theworkshopoutcomes: Aftertheendofthisworkshop,youwillbeableto: 1. UnderstandthemeaningofaccountabilityandtransparencyintheAfghancontext 2. Developabasicunderstandingofsocialresearchmethodsandhowthesecanbeused 3. Knowwhatinvestigativejournalismisandhowitcanbelearntandpracticed 4. Gainfourspecificskillsthatarerequiredtopracticeinvestigativejournalisminavery challengingAfghanenvironment 5. DevelopanduseajournalismcodeofethicalpracticesinyourdutiesbasedonAfghan culturesandIslamicvalues 6. UnderstandhowfreedomtoexpressviewsmayworkforAfghancitizensandvoluntary groups 7. Makesomeindividualandgroupprogresstowardsfreedomofaccesstoinformationin theAfghansocietyandknowwhatobstructionsexist 8. Findouthowmediaselfregulationmaywork 9. Investigateandproduceatleasttwoorthreepublishablepiecesonareasof accountabilityandtransparency

2009SkillCity/IMC

4


www.skillcity.pk

Yourworkshopschedule Weeks Week1 Aimtocover... WhatisaccountabilityandtransparencyintheAfghancontext Howresearchmethodswork Investigativejournalism:Whatitis,howitworksandskillsrequired Assignyourselfataskononenarrowareaofyourchoiceonthethemesof accountabilityandtransparencyyouresearch,investigateandspeakto yoursources Youproducefirstdraftinyourchosenlanguageandchosenmediaand receivefeedbackfromateacherorasenioryoureworkonyourdraftsin thelightoffeedbackyoureceived Youchooseyoursecondareaofchoicetoworkonthethemesof accountabilityandtransparency Youproducefirstdraftinyourchosenlanguageandchosenmediaand receivefeedbackyoureworkonyourdraftsinthelightoffeedback Weexpectthatsomereaderswillbeabletoworkontheirthirdtopic becauseofthemotivationandskillstheywouldgainfromreadingthis Guideandthefulfillingnatureofthiscourageousprofession. Journalismethics Freedomofexpression FreedomofaccesstoinformationinAfghansociety Mediaselfregulation Developingaworkablecodeofpractices Yousendyourshortlistedfinal,publishablepiecesoninvestigative journalismtoyourchosenmedia

Week2

Week3

Week4

2009SkillCity/IMC

5


www.skillcity.pk

Foreword[thissectionsetsthestageforthistrainingintervention] Whyinvestigativejournalismforaccountabilityandtransparency? AccordingtoTransparencyInternationalsAnnualReportpublishedin2008,Afghanistanis worlds8thhighlycorruptcountry.AfghanistansCorruptionPerceptionIndexisat172out of180countries. ThisratingputstheburdenofcleaningupthemessonAfghanmediaandjournalists.Thisis wheretheinvestigativereportingcomes.AndastheHandbookforAfghanJournalists preparedbyInstituteforWar&PeaceReporting(IWPR)states: InAfghanistan,therehasneverbeenamoreimportanttimetobeajournalist.Forthefirst timeinageneration,journalistshavethechancetoreportfreelyonwhatishappeningin theircountry. However,theGuideauthorsfeelingafterspeakingtovariousjournalistsisthatthisfree reporting,particularlyinvestigatingreporting,mighttakesometimetooccurasformany decades,theyhavebeenconditionedtoauthoritarianatworst,andselfcensorship,atbest. TheCommunists,MujahideenandTalibanregimeshavelongmadethemsubmittonot attemptingtoreportanywrongdoingbythoseinpower.Thisisthebadnews! ThegoodnewshoweveristhatUNDPinitiativeslikethisonemayencouragemany journalistsinAfghanistantocomeoutoftheirfearzonesandservethecountryasitisbeing rebuilt,andactasawatchdogagainstwrongdoing.Thehighcorruptionratingof Afghanistanputsjournaliststocomeoutoftheircomfortzoneofdaytodayreportingand hithardandasthesourceinAllthePresidentsMenmovieonWatergateScandalsays: FollowtheMoney![Thismovieisyourkeyvisualaidaimtoshowitasearlyaspossiblein yourworkshop,andthenbuildonthesethemeslaterintheworkshop] Beforewediscussinvestigativejournalism,letusknowbrieflywhataccountabilityand transparencymeans,particularlyintheAfghancontext. However,pleasenotethatthisguideisnotonaccountabilityortransparency;itson practicaltipsonundertakingtheinvestigativereporting.Thispartonlyservesasa backgrounderonaccountabilityortransparency.

2009SkillCity/IMC

6


www.skillcity.pk

Accordingto2008TransparencyInternationalReport,PreventingCorruptionin HumanitarianAssistance,countrieswhichreceivelargehumanitarianaid,theincidenceof corruptionincreases.Afghanistanisonesuchcase.Thereportsays: ThemassiveaidresponsetotheIndianOceantsunamiofDecember26,2004,generated hugepublicandmediainterestandpushedtheissueofcorruptionhigherontheagendaof thehumanitariancommunity.Agencieshadtoconfrontcorruptionwithintheiroperations andintheoperatingenvironmentaroundtheminalargerandmorepublicwaythanthey hadeverfaced. InasimilarmannerthesexforfoodscandalthatsurfacedinWestAfricainearly2002,and therecentfollowupreportthatreinforcesthesefindingsandthecultureofimpunitythat surroundsthem(Csaky2008)haveforcedagenciestodealwithcorruptionofadifferent sortonenotnecessarilyinvolvingfinancialfraud. OtherrecenthighprofileexamplesofcorruptionincludeinstancesfollowingHurricane KatrinaintheUSAandintheaidresponsestowarsinIraqandAfghanistan,highlightingthe diversityofcontextsandthatcorruptionrisksariseindevelopedaswellasdeveloping countries. Citingvariousreportsandstudiesdonesince2004,LorenzoDelesgues,KevinSavage,Ellen MartinandGulPachaUlfatintheir2007reporttitledCorruptionPerceptionsandRisksin HumanitarianAssistance:anAfghanistanCaseStudyhighlightthisincidenceofwasteand corruptioninthecountry: AccordingtotheWorldBankdirectorinAfghanistan,anestimated35%to40%ofaidis beingwasted(Duparcq,2006).Thespendingimperativewasespeciallyevidentintherunup tothe2004Afghanelections(GAO,2005),andtheneedfortheUSinparticulartopresent Afghanistanasasuccessstory,especiallyinviewoftheongoingconflictinIraq(Nawa, 2006).AnexampleofthiscanbeseenintheconstructionoftheUSAIDfundedKabulto Kandaharhighway,acampaignpromisebyPresidentHamidKarzaibeforethe2004 elections.Theroadwasbuiltinlessthantwoyears,butisalreadydisintegratingduetopoor designandplanning.Seeappendicesforareportonthescamofreconstructionin Afghanistan. AnotherexampleconcernstheUSconstructioncompanyLouisBerger.UnderUSAIDs AcceleratingSuccessinitiative(GAO,2005),thefirmbuiltandrenovated533schoolsand clinicsatacostof$226,000each.AccordingtoDuparq(2006),theAfghangovernment couldhaveachievedthesameresultsatjust$50,000perbuilding.Manyofthesebuildings werelaterdamagedduringthewinterbecauseofdesignflaws(Nawa,2006).

2009SkillCity/IMC

7


www.skillcity.pk

FirstThingsFirst:Youneedtoknowyourtrainees:How professionaljournalistslearnIsthereadifferencebetweentrainingjournalistsandotherprofessionalcategories? Itisworthwhilereflectingonthisquestion.Everyonewhohastrainedagroupofprofessional reporterswillprobablyanswer:Yes,thereis.Herearesomereasonsfromourexperience: 1.Manyareimpatient.Theyaretrainedtolookatthenewsortheconclusionandwantto jumpoverthelongintroductoryexplanations. 2.Theywanttohaveinstantusefortheirknowledge:Thatsoundsgood,butwhatarewe goingtouseitfor?Theyarealsotrainedtoquestionauthority,whichcanmakeitmore difficulttoestablishyourauthorityasatrainer.Somemightalreadyusethestartofthe coursetoquestionthecontentorstructureofit. 3.Journaliststendtobecriticalandtolookatthenegativesfirst.Istheresomething hidden?Thisisapartoftheirprofessionalroleandmightaffectthetraining. 4.Journalistsaretheirownworkingtoolsandsomecouldbesensitivetocriticism.Ifyou criticisetheproductnewsstory,intervieworbroadcastreportyouwillalsoindirectly criticisethecreator. 5.Manyworkonintuition.Askthem:Whydoyoudoitlikethis?andyouareunlikelyto getapreciseanswer.IhavealwaysdoneitlikethisorIlearnedthiswhenIgotmyfirst jobasareporter.Inmanyprofessionsitismucheasiertoexplainhowsomethingisdone.If acookaddsspice,itwillchangethetasteofthemeal.Butwithjournalismyoucantbesure oftheeffectsofwhatyouadd. 6.Journalistsareusedtobeingactiveduringtheday,movingfromoneplacetoanother, workingindependentlyandnotboundtotheoffice.Tostepintoaclassroomcanbe challenging.Mustwebesittingallthetime? 7.Theyarealso,asotherprofessionals,proudoftheirskillsanddonteasilyaccepttheneed forfurthereducation,especiallynotinaninhousesituationbycolleaguesfromthesame workingplace. Toconclude:Professionaljournalistscanberegardedascriticalandconservativeinthe learningprocess.

2009SkillCity/IMC

8


www.skillcity.pk

Anotherbasic:Whatisnews? Whenyourparticipantsmayraisethisasaquestion,Whatisnews? Leadatheoreticaldiscussiononidentifyingthedifferentnewsvaluessuchas: Timeliness:Didithappenrecently? Consequence:Scaleandintensity? Clarity:Isthestoryeasytounderstandforouraudience? Proximity:Isitclosetotheinterestofouraudience? Unusualness:Isitsomethingwehaventheardaboutbefore?

2009SkillCity/IMC

9


www.skillcity.pk

Workshopactivities:Someexamples[Thelistbelowcouldbehelpfulforyoutocreateavarietyintrainingmethodsand activitiesinallthreestagesoftrainingpretraining,duringtraining,andposttraining] Preworkshop: Individual:Preworkshopevaluationoftraineeslevelofskillandexperience(specificsub skilllevel) Individual:Askpeopletoselectoneoftheirmostfavouriteinvestigativereportfrom Afghanistan,andonefromSouthorCentralAsiaregionandsendtotrainersbeforethe coursestartsthroughemail(Word,Pdf,orreadablescanimage).Or,sendaCDofradioor TVdocumentary. Individual:Bringoneeditednewsstoryyouconsidergood,oratotaldisaster.Note:The materialdoesnotnecessarilyhavetobeyourownwork.Voiceorvideocanbebroughton yourcellforreplay Individual:OneexpectationfromthecourseinoneKSA(knowledge,skillorattitude) needstobespecific,ratherthanbroad Individual:Pleasebringacopyofyourfavouritenewspaperormagazine Duringworkshop: Group:Mingleactivity:developquestionsthatrelatetotheirworkexperiencesasan investigativejournalist Individual:Whats[i.e.whichpartoftrail]easiestforyouindoinganinvestigativestory? Whatsmostdifficult? Buzzgroupsattheendofeachday:whatwearedoingright?Whatweneedtochange? 2009SkillCity/IMC 10


www.skillcity.pk

ShowingtheDVDandclipswithsessionobjectivesandquestionsbeforehand+post showingdiscussion/debrief Decidingwhichpartsofthecoursecanbebesttaughtbyroleplays,flashcards,group discussions,videotaping/playback,exercises,projectpresentations Cellphonerecording:voiceorvideo Editorialgroupmeeting:someonechairs Reportereditordialogue:toughquestionsandarguments RecaplikeaTVtalkshow,weatherreport Dailypick:Whatdidyoulikeordidntlikeintodayspapers,oraTVshow? Envelopejournalism:usewordsforstoryideasratherthanmoney(surprise!) Blogentry:howamIfeelingtoday? Inthepaper:Howwouldyoudothefollowup? TodaysmorningguestinourTVstudio Todayswebpage(internet/projectorneeded):mymostfavourite Capturethetrainingroomactivitywithyourfirstimpressions:usingamicrophone Sendamessagetosomeoneinthegroup(foldedpapercollectedinonebowl,readoutand passedontotherecipient) Ifon3May,celebratetheworldpressfreedomday Goodmorningshow:Callerstoaradioprogramme

2009SkillCity/IMC

11


www.skillcity.pk

Postworkshop: Individual:Postworkshopevaluationoftraineeslevelofskillandexperience(specificsub skilllevel).Anychangeaftertheworkshopin3months Blogposts Reportingactionplanexecutedstoriesdone?

2009SkillCity/IMC

12


www.skillcity.pk

Exampleofinterviewing:Organisinganswerswithcards[adapted] Whatisyourmainproblemwhenconductinganinterview?Planningtheinterview, conductingitorinwriting/editing? ThisisanopeningquestiontogiveanexampleofhowtheQ&Amethodcanbeapplied practically,forexamplewhentrainingnewspaperreporters. Thestrengthsofthismethodarethatitmakesitpossibleto: Involveeveryoneallinthegroupwillbeseen. Checkthelevelofyourparticipants. Getalistofactualproblemstodiscuss. Usethecollectiveknowledgeoftheparticipantsinthegroup. Usethismethodfordifferentlengthsoftrainingexpressforonedaysessionsorlong termduringaweekstraining. Step1:WritethefollowingwordsontheboardoronA4papertobestuckonawall: BEFORE Step2:Divideparticipantsintopairsandgivethemeachapieceofpaper;aboutathirdof anA4sheet.Ifpossible,thisshouldbemadefromcardboardasitiseasiertohandle,like cards.Thenaskthemtheinitialquestion: Whatisyourmainproblemwhenyoudoaninterview?Planningtheinterview,conducting itorduringthewriting/editing?Forthenextfewminutesdiscusswithyourcolleaguehow yourmostcommonproblem(justoneproblem)canbesolved.Writethesuggestedsolution downonthepapertogetherwithyourname.Anyquestions? Step3:Wheneveryonehasunderstoodwhattheymustdoandthepairshavestartedtheir discussion,youwillfeelanintenseatmosphereintheroom.Walkaroundtoseeif everythingworkswell,orifthereareanymorequestionstoanswer.Letthediscussiongo onforabout10minutes,thenstarttocollecttheproblems.Whatarethey?Fromour experience,pointsthatwillcomeupinclude: 2009SkillCity/IMC 13

DURING

AFTER


www.skillcity.pk

Theanswersaretoobrief. HowcanIstructuremyquestions? WhatmustIdoiftheintervieweeasksforthequestionsbeforetheinterview? HowdoIavoidroutinequestions? WhatshouldIdowhentheintervieweedeviatesfromthequestion? HowdoIgoaboutnarrowingthetopictogodeeperintotheinterview? Step4:Askavolunteertocollectthecardsandsortthemunderthedifferentheadings. Attachthemtotheboardwithstickytapeormagnets(ifyouhaveametalboard)by engaginginanactivedialoguewiththeparticipants: WhereshouldIputthis?Under Andthis? Beforeor During?

2009SkillCity/IMC

14


www.skillcity.pk

Outdooractivity:Anafterlunchwalkforagoodstory How(incombinationwithjournalism)canyoumakeyourparticipantskeeptheireyesand earsopenafterlunch?Whynotsendthemoutforahalfhourwalk?Thiswillmakethem morealertduringtheafternoon.Atthesametimetheycantraintheirskillstobegood observers,interviewersandlisteners. Throughtheirdifferentobservationsandexperiencestheyalsowillinspireeachother.Tell themtocomebackwithatleastoneideaforagoodstory. Whatwilltheybringback?Maybeideaslikethis,dependingonwherethetrainingvenueis situated: Letsthinkofaplaceclosetothemarket: Howtofindyourwaythroughthemarketwithoutgettinglost,kidnappedorrobbed. Profilesofsalespersonsandcustomers. Fivetipsonhowtobuy...(chooseitem)atthecheapestprice. Herbsatastingstory. Themarketanditsdifferentcolours. Oraplaceinthesuburbs: Profilesofdifferentshopownersinandaroundthemall.Therestaurantownerwhoisa collectorofoldantiqueswhichhedisplaysinhisrestaurant,orapoorunemployedperson waitingoutsidetheshoptobepickedupforadayswork. HowmanyspeedingISAFconvoysalongtheroadin15minutes?Whathappenswhenthey areonroads? Therealestatemarketalongtheroadoutsidethetrainingvenue.Whyaretheresomany housesforsaleorforrent?Orsofew? Onreturningfromthewalk,youcandiscusswhatperspectivesthedifferentideasproduced: Aboutlifeandeconomicactivityintheareawhereyouallwalked. Howaregoodstoriesfound?Aresomeparticipantsmoresuccessfulthanothers?Ifso, whatsthereasontheirstyle,theirmethods,oracombinationoftheseelements? Inwhatformatcantheirstoriesbepublished? 2009SkillCity/IMC 15


www.skillcity.pk

Theabovearesomeoftheexamplesyoucanusetotraintheworkingjournalists.Good luck! Pleaseletusknowyourfeedbackaftertheworkshopsinhowwecanimprovethistrainers manualinfutureeditions.

2009SkillCity/IMC

16


www.skillcity.pk

Part1 Accountability,Transparencyand ResearchMethods:TheBasics

2009SkillCity/IMC

17


www.skillcity.pk

1.1Whatsaccountability? SessionAim:Theaimofthissectionistoonlyfamiliariseworkshopparticipantswiththe notion,andthetypesofaccountability.Also,howitmayandmaynotworkintheAfghan context. Method:Smallgroupscomeupwithdefinitionandtypesandpresentinplenary. Alternatively:Ifthetimeisshort,combinethiswiththenextsectionontransparency.One groupofparticipantsworkonaccountability,andtheotherontransparency.Bothgroups presenttheiroutputinplenary(fortwominseach) Time:15mins Materials:Postits,blutek,pens,markers ThinkTask:Canyoupauseforaminute,andthinkwhatsaccountability,particularlyin Afghanistan? Accountabilityisoftenusedsynonymouslywithsuchconceptsasresponsibility, answerability,enforcement,liabilityandothertermsassociatedwiththeexpectationof accountgiving.Asanaspectofgovernance,ithasbeencentraltodiscussionsrelatedto problemsinboththepublicandprivate(corporation)worlds,accordingtoWikipedia. AccountabilityisdefinedasAisaccountabletoBwhenAisobligedtoinformBaboutAs (pastorfuture)actionsanddecisions,tojustifythem,andtosufferpunishmentinthecase ofeventualmisconduct. InherAssessingtheNationalSolidarityPrograminAfghanistan(2007)YamaTorabidefines accountabilityasaprocessoraprinciplebeyondonescontroltobeheldaccountablefor onesaction.

2009SkillCity/IMC

18


www.skillcity.pk

Heremphasis:Thiscancompriseanactorsperformanceonthebasisofaformalcontract, butalsoonesconcernsforreputation(commitmenttolocalpopulations,professionalismor ethicsofwellspendinginIslam)throughinformalnorms. Asthisdefinitionallowsfordiscussionofpoliticalclaimsoveraid,itismorecomprehensive thanthetechnocraticcategorisationthatfocusesontwocomponentsofaccountability: answerability(obligationofpowerholderstojustifytheirdecisionsandactions)and enforceability(theexistenceofmechanismsforpunishingpoorperformanceandnon compliance). Torabisaysthatbothcomponentsrequiretechnicalcapacitieswhichlocal[Afghan] populationsareoftenlacking.Bybroadeningthedefinition,thestudywillalsoassessthe complementaritiesbetweendifferenttypesofaccountability. Inleadershiproles,accountabilityistheacknowledgmentandassumptionofresponsibility foractions,products,decisionsandpoliciesincludingtheadministration,governanceand implementationwithinthescopeoftheroleoremploymentpositionandencompassingthe obligationtoreport,explainandbeanswerableforresultingconsequences.

Typesofaccountability Stone,DwivediandJabbralisteighttypesofaccountability,namely:moral,administrative, political,managerial,market,legal/judicial,constituencyrelationandprofessional.Wewill onlyhighlightthreeofthesetypes,relevanttoyourworkasaninvestigativejournalistin Afghanistan. Politicalaccountability Politicalaccountabilityistheaccountabilityofthegovernment,civilservantsandpoliticians tothepublicandtolegislativebodiessuchasparliament. Constitution,orstatute,canempoweralegislativebodytoholdtheirownmembers,the government,andgovernmentbodiestoaccount.Thiscanbethroughholdinganinternalor independentinquiry.Inquiriesareusuallyheldinresponsetoanallegationofmisconduct orcorruption.Thepowers,proceduresandsanctionsvaryfromcountrytocountry.The legislaturemayhavethepowertoimpeachtheindividual,removethem,orsuspendthem fromofficeforaperiodoftime.Theaccusedpersonmightalsodecidetoresignbeforetrial. Administrativeaccountability

2009SkillCity/IMC

19


www.skillcity.pk

Internalrulesandnormsaswellassomeindependentcommissionaremechanismstohold civilservantwithintheadministrationofgovernmentaccountable.Withindepartmentor ministry,firstly,behaviourisboundedbyrulesandregulations;secondly,civilservantsare subordinatesinahierarchyandaccountabletosuperiors.Nonetheless,thereare independentwatchdogunitstoscrutiniseandholddepartmentsaccountable;legitimacy ofthesecommissionsisbuiltupontheirindependence,asitavoidsanyconflictsofinterest. Marketaccountability Undervoicesfordecentralisationandprivatisationofthegovernment,servicesprovidedare nowadaysmorecustomerdrivenandshouldaimtoprovideconvenienceandvarious choicestocitizens.Withthisperspective,therearecomparisonsandcompetitionbetween publicandprivateservicesandthis,ideally,improvesqualityofservice. Outsourcingserviceisonemeanstoadoptmarketaccountability.Governmentcanchoose amongashortlistofcompaniesforoutsourcedservice;withinthecontractingperiod, governmentcanholdthecompanybyrewritingcontractsorbychoosinganothercompany. Socialimplications Accountabilityconstrainstheextenttowhichelectedrepresentativesandotheroffice holderscanwilfullydeviatefromtheirtheoreticalresponsibilities,thusreducingcorruption. InaBBCdocumentary,theMisrepresentationofthePeopleActwasproposedtomake membersofparliamentintheUKmoreaccountable.

Inrecenttimes Recently,accountabilityhasbecomeanimportanttopicinthediscussionaboutthe legitimacyofinternationalinstitutions.Globaladministrativebodiesareoftencriticisedas havinglargeaccountabilitygaps.Oneparadigmaticproblemarisingintheglobalcontextis thatofinstitutionssuchastheWorldBankandtheInternationalMonetaryFundwhichare foundedandsupportedbywealthynationsandprovideaid,intheformofgrantsandloans, todevelopingnations.Shouldthoseinstitutionsbeaccountabletotheirfoundersand investorsortothepersonsandnationstheyhelp? Accountabilityisbecominganincreasinglyimportantissueforthenonprofitworld.Several NGOssignedtheaccountabilitycharterin2005.IntheHumanitarianfield,initiativessuch2009SkillCity/IMC 20


www.skillcity.pk

astheHAPI(HumanitarianAccountabilityPartnershipInternational)appeared.Individual NGOshavesettheirownaccountabilitysystems(forexample,theALPS,Accountability, LearningandPlanningSystemofActionAid). Morerecently,AfghanistanandIraq,veryhighonTransparencyInternationalsCorruption Index,werethetwocountrieswhichbecameahighlightoftheaccountabilitydrivebydonor communityandtheUNorganisations.

2009SkillCity/IMC

21


www.skillcity.pk

WhatdoesaccountabilitymeanintheAfghancontext? Afundamentalquestionis:Doesanyonereallywanttoholdpeopleaccountableinacountry likeAfghanistan?FromtheAmericancommercialorganisationswhoareaccusedofwasteof publicmoney,towesternhumanitariandonorswhosemoneydoesnotreachtheintended beneficiaries,toaweakgovernmentinKabulwhichdoesnotwanttooffendanyally,who wouldreallywantaprocessofaccountabilitytoflourish?Andfinally,arejournalistswilling torisktheirlivelihoodandlifetostriveforaccountabilityonlybecauseitstheircountry? However,theflipsideofthispessimismmaymeanthatasaninvestigativejournalist,youtry tomakepeopleandorganisations(bothinpublicsectorandinthenonprofitworld) accountablefortheir: Thismaynotbeabadbargain,willitbe? Actionsandtheirimpactonpeople Policiesanddecisions Conflictofinterest Anywrongdoing Improperuseoftheirmandateandresources

2009SkillCity/IMC

22


www.skillcity.pk

1.2Whatistransparency? SessionAim:Theaimofthissectionistoonlyfamiliariseworkshopparticipantswiththe notion,andthetypesoftransparency.Also,howitmayandmaynotworkintheAfghan context. Method:Smallgroupscomeupwithdefinitionandtypesandpresentinplenary. Alternatively:Ifthetimeisshort,combinethiswiththeprevioussectiononaccountability. Onegroupofparticipantsworkonaccountability,andtheotherontransparency.Both groupspresenttheiroutputinplenary(fortwominseach) Time:15mins Materials:Postits,blutek,pens,markers ThinkTask:Canyoupauseforaminute,andthinkwhatstransparency,particularlyin Afghanistan? Transparency,whenusedinasocialcontext,impliesopenness,communicationand accountability. AccordingtoWikipedia,itisametaphoricalextensionofthemeaningatransparentobject isonethatcanbeseenthrough.Transparentproceduresincludeopenmeetings,financial disclosurestatements,thefreedomofinformationlegislation,budgetaryreview,audits,etc. Politics Inpolitics,transparencyisintroducedasameansofholdingpublicofficialsaccountableand fightingcorruption.Whengovernmentmeetingsareopentothepressandthepublic,when budgetsandfinancialstatementsmaybereviewedbyanyone.Whenlaws,rulesand decisionsareopentodiscussion,theyareseenastransparentandthereislessopportunity fortheauthoritiestoabusethesystemintheirowninterest. 2009SkillCity/IMC 23


www.skillcity.pk

Ingovernment,politics,ethics,business,management,law,economics,sociology,etc., transparencyistheoppositeofprivacy;anactivityistransparentifallinformationaboutitis openandfreelyavailable.Thuswhencourtsoflawadmitthepublic,whenfluctuatingprices infinancialmarketsarepublishedinnewspapers,thoseprocessesaretransparent. Whenmilitaryauthoritiesclassifytheirplansassecret,transparencyisabsent.Thiscanbe seenaseitherpositiveornegative;positive,becauseitcanincreasenationalsecurity, negative,becauseitcanleadtosecrecy,corruptionandevenamilitarydictatorship. Corporate Corporatetransparency,aformofradicaltransparencyistheconstructofremovingall barrierstoandfacilitatingoffreeandeasypublicaccesstocorporate,politicaland personalinformationandthelaws,rules,socialconnivanceandprocessesthatfacilitateand protectthoseindividualsandcorporationswhofreelyjoin,developandembellishthe process. Banking Bankingtransparencyanddisclosureofbankactivitiesaresuggestedtopreventfuture bankingcrises,undergroundbanking,unpublishedaccounts,moneylaundering,taxevasion andotherfraud.Forcingbankstodisclosemoreinformationabouttheirlendingand investmentindeprivedareasissuggestedaspartofthefightagainstfinancialexclusion. Mediatransparency Mediatransparencyistheconceptofdetermininghowandwhyinformationisconveyed throughvariousmeans.Ifthemediaandthepublicknoweverythingthathappensinall authoritiesandcountyadministrationstherewillbealotofquestions,protestsand suggestionscomingfrommediaandthepublic.Peoplewhoareinterestedinacertainissue willtrytoinfluencethedecisions. Transparencycreatesaneverydayparticipationinthepoliticalprocessesbymediaandthe public.OnetoolusedtoincreaseeverydayparticipationinpoliticalprocessesisFreedomof Informationlegislationandrequests(moreonthatinPart5).Moderndemocracybuildson suchparticipationofthepeopleandmedia.Thereare,foranybodywhoisinterested,many waystoinfluencethedecisionsatalllevelsinsociety. Exampleofmediatransparency

2009SkillCity/IMC

24


www.skillcity.pk

Whenanorganisation(corporate,government,nonprofit,orother)holdsameetingand theproceedingsareopentothepublicandthepress,andthemeetingispublicisedviaone ormoreofthefollowingmethods,thereislessopportunityfortheorganisationtoabuse thesystemofinformationdeliveryintheirowninterest:

Broadcastoverradio Reviewedontelevision Reportedinnewsprint Journalisedonblogs

Thisassumes,ofcourse,thattheorganisationdoesnotownorotherwiseaffectthemedia conveyingtheinformation.

2009SkillCity/IMC

25


www.skillcity.pk

WhatdoestransparencymeanintheAfghancontext? Thismaymeanthatasaninvestigativejournalist,youtrytouncoverasmanyoccasionsas possiblewhichareofpublicimportanceandwhichmayhaveconsequencesforpublic througheverypossiblemedia: Howarethepoliciesanddecisionsbeingmadeinthepublicsector Whobenefitsfromthesepolicies Whogetsthegovernmentconstructionandroadcontractswithorwithoutbidding HowareWesterndonorsandINGOscontributingtothegoodorillsofAfghan economyandsocialnorms Istheremoreharmthangood Howshiftingalliancesandloyaltiesinthepoliticschangebadthingstogoodandgoodto bad Etcetc

2009SkillCity/IMC

26


www.skillcity.pk

1.3Researchmethods SessionAim:Theaimofthissectionistoonlyfamiliariseworkshopparticipantswiththe researchmethods,andhowbasicresearchcanbedoneintheAfghancontext. Method:Smallgroupscomeupwithtypesandpresentinplenary. Secondactivity:Iftimepermits,askthemtocomeupwithindividualideasoftheirmost favouriteoridealresearchtopic.Runthatasacompetitionamongparticipants,andyou maywellbesurprisedwiththeinnovativeresearchideastheycomeupwith. Time:15mins Materials:Postits,blutek,pens,markers Theaimofsectionistogiveyoualittlebackgroundonthemethodsinsocialsciences research.Journalistsmaynotneedtoknowthisareaindetailastheyhavedevisedtheir ownwaystoinvestigateandreportevents.However,abriefdiscussionwonthurt! Thegoaloftheresearchprocessistoproducenewknowledge,whichtakesthreemain forms(althoughtheremaybesomeoverlap):

Exploratoryresearch,whichstructuresandidentifiesnewproblems Constructiveresearch,whichdevelopssolutionstoaproblem Empiricalresearch,whichteststhefeasibilityofasolutionusingempiricalevidence

Researchcanalsofallintotwodistincttypes: 1. Primaryresearch 2. Secondaryresearch

Primaryresearch Primaryresearch(alsocalledfieldresearch)involvesthecollectionofdatathatdoesnot alreadyexist.Thiscanbethroughnumerousforms,includingquestionnairesandtelephone interviewsamongstothers.Thisinformationmaybeusedinsuchthingsasquestionnaires, magazines,andInterviews.2009SkillCity/IMC 27


www.skillcity.pk

Thetermiswidelyusedinmarketresearchandcompetitiveintelligence.However:

itmaybeveryexpensivebecausemanypeopleneedtobeconfronted bythetimetheresearchiscompleteitmaybeoutofdate peoplemayhavetobeemployedoravoidtheirprimarydutiesforthedurationofthe research peoplemaynotreplyifemailsorlettersareused

Secondaryresearch Secondaryresearch(alsoknownasdeskresearch)involvesthesummary,collationand/or synthesisofexistingresearchratherthanprimaryresearch,wheredataiscollectedfrom,for example,researchsubjectsorexperiments. Thetermiswidelyusedinmarketresearchandinmedicalresearch.Secondaryresearchcan comefromeitherinternalorexternalsources.

Socialresearch Socialresearchreferstoresearchconductedbysocialscientists(primarilywithinsociology andsocialpsychology),butalsowithinotherdisciplinessuchassocialpolicy,human geography,politicalscience,socialanthropologyandeducation.Sociologistsandother socialscientistsstudydiversethings:fromcensusdataonhundredsofthousandsofhuman beings,throughtheindepthanalysisofthelifeofasingleimportantpersontomonitoring whatishappeningonastreettodayorwhatwashappeningafewhundredyearsago. Socialscientistsusemanydifferentmethodsinordertodescribe,exploreandunderstand sociallife. Socialmethodscangenerallybesubdividedintotwobroadcategories. 1. Quantitativemethodsareconcernedwithattemptstoquantifysocialphenomenaand collectandanalysenumericaldataandfocusonthelinksamongasmallernumberof attributesacrossmanycases.

2009SkillCity/IMC

28


www.skillcity.pk

2. Qualitativemethods,ontheotherhand,emphasisepersonalexperiencesand interpretationoverquantification,aremoreconcernedwithunderstandingthemeaning ofsocialphenomenaandfocusonlinksamongalargernumberofattributesacross relativelyfewcases.Whileverydifferentinmanyaspects,bothqualitativeand quantitativeapproachesinvolveasystematicinteractionbetweentheoriesanddata. Commontoolsofquantitativeresearchersincludesurveys,questionnaires,andsecondary analysisofstatisticaldatathathasbeengatheredforotherpurposes(forexample,censuses ortheresultsofsocialattitudessurveys). Commonlyusedqualitativemethodsincludefocusgroups,participantobservationand othertechniques.

2009SkillCity/IMC

29


www.skillcity.pk

Part2 InvestigativeJournalism: TheoryandPractice

2009SkillCity/IMC

30


www.skillcity.pk

2.1Whatisinvestigativejournalism? SessionAim:Theaimofthissectionistodifferentiatebetweendaytodayreportingand investigativereporting. Method:Givethemflashcardswithtypesthatmayfallineithercategory,withsometypes overlapping.Smallgroupsdiscussanddecidewhereeachflashcardbelongs.Typesprovided asafile,markedIJdifferencebetweenreportingandIJ.Discussinplenary. Time:30mins Materials:Printedflashcards,flipcharts,blutek Investigativejournalism(alsocalledinvestigatingreporting)is: Moreoften,investigativejournalisminvolvesinvestigatingwrongdoingbyindividuals, groupsorinstitutions. Thedifferencebetweendaytodayreportingandinvestigatingreporting 2009SkillCity/IMC 31

Notjustdaytodayreporting,butindepth,longtermresearchedreporting Investigativereportsoftentakealongertimetoresearch Theyrevealnewinformation,notjusttheresultsofsomeoneelsesinvestigation Theyarebasedlargelyondocumentsandextensiveinterviewsanduseofpublicand privatedataarchive Followingapapertrail Extensiveinterviewingofvarioussources Corruptionfindingtoolsandmethods(undercoverreporting,hiddencameras, surveillance) Revealinginformationotherswanttokeepsecretorinformationnotknowntothe public Workingtowardstransparencyandaccountabilityofindividualsandgroupsusingpower Beliefinthewatchdogroleofthemediaaswellascatalystforchangeinsociety


www.skillcity.pk

Thekeydifferenceisthatindaytodayreporting,peoplewanttotellfacts;in investigativereporting,peoplewanttohidefacts Investigativereportsoftentakealongertimetoresearchandwrite Theyrevealnewinformation,notjusttheresultsofsomeoneelsesinvestigation Theyarebasedlargelyondocumentsandextensiveinterviews

Whatdoinvestigativereporterslookfor? Whyinvestininvestigativereporting? Investigativereportingmakesanimpactby. Investigativereportingisaprocesswhichstartswithafirstleadortipandgoesthrough initialinvestigationandforminganinvestigativehypothesis.

Whoisresponsibleforthewrongdoing? Howwasitdone? Whataretheconsequences? Whatcanbedoneaboutit?

Reversingawrongpolicy Causingtheresignation/firingoferringofficials Focusingattentiononpreviouslyneglectedissuesandareas Increasingpublicdebate

Ahypothesisisatheoryorpremisetostartyourinvestigation.

Example:From2004to2009,theheadofAfghanHighwaysreceivedbribesfromroad contractorsintheformofcommissionsrangingfrom20to30percentoftheprojectcost.

2009SkillCity/IMC

32


www.skillcity.pk

Investigativereportingalsobenefitsthemediaorganisations:UScasestudy SessionAim:Theaimofthissectionistodeveloprealisationthatmediaorganisationstoo, andnotjustthesociety,benefitfrominvestigativereporting Method:Casestudy,followedbygroupdiscussion.Onepersonfromeachgrouppresents ideas Time:15mins Materials:Casestudy

Helpssellnewspapersandnewsprogrammesonradio,TVandothermedia,particularly inAfghanistanwheremostmediachannelsareverybasicandarereceivedbysmall populations Widensthescopeofjournalisticfreedomandopensnewavenuesofaccessto information(likeFreedomofInformationAct,yettobeenactedinAfghanistan) Enhancesthecapacityofthemediatoplayawatchdogrole

Arecent(2008)casestudyfromtheUSAhighlightsthispoint: InvestigativeJournalism:NewspapersNewLifeblood NewYork:Someofthecountrystopinvestigativereporterscalledtheirworkvitalto newspaperssuccessinanincreasinglyfragmentedmediamarketplace. WinnersofandfinalistsforHarvardsGoldsmithPrizeforInvestigativeReporting punctuatedtheircommentswithpessimismaboutAmericanpapersgeneralcommitment toindepthreporting. NewYorkTimesreportersJamesRisenandEricLichtblautookthe$25,000awardfor revelationsthatthegovernmenttappedintointernationalphonecallsandemailtraffic withoutcourtwarrants.

2009SkillCity/IMC

33


www.skillcity.pk

ApologisingforbeingveryopaqueinhisremarksbecauseoftheJusticeDepartments effortstoidentifywholeakedclassifiedinformationusedinthestoriesRisencalledthe seriesverydefensiblefromanationalsecuritystandpoint.Theonlysecretthatwerevealed isthat(thegovernment)wasavoidingthelaw. HesuggestedthatthestorieshelpedtheTimesovercometwoheadaches:JaysonBlairs sourceinventionsandJudithMillerstestimony,after85daysinjail,relatingtotheleakof theidentityofC.I.A.operativeValeriePlameWilson. Lichtblausaidthatasafamilyownedpaper,theTimesismoreinsulatedfromthe industrysfinancialproblems.Circulationissteadyandwerehiring. MikeWilkinson,oneofasixpersonToledo(Ohio)BladeteamthatuncoveredCoingate, deploredthefactthathisroughly150,000circulationpaperhadacommitmentto investigativereportingunmatchedbymanymuchlargerdailies.(TheBlade,ownedbya localfamily,wona2004PulitzerPrizeandwasafinalistfora2000award.)Thepressisthe onlyinstitutiontoplaythewatchdogrole,addedcolleagueJamesDrew. BeforetheBladesseriesuncoveredanationalscandal,whichledtotheconvictionsof OhiosgovernorandothersandpromptedsweepingcampaignreforminOhio,thereporters praisedtheirpublisherscontinuingsupportinfaceofthegovernorschargesofavendetta. HowlongwilltheBladesindepthreportingardourcontinue?Intheseperilousfinancial times,saidWilkinson,maybethreeyearsfromnowwewontbeinthisposition. CopleyNewsServicereportersMarcusSternandJerryKammeralsostressedthepresss watchdogrole.TheirreportingledtoCaliforniaCongressmanRandyCunninghams resignation,andlaterconviction,fortakingbribes. Stern,whoisalsothenewseditorofCopleysWashingtonbureau,saidthat,becauseheand hiscolleaguesreportfromWashington,Wehavealotoffreedomanddonthavetofeed thebeast(ofdailyfilings)somuch.Inhisroleasnewseditor,hesaid,hesfoundthat sometimesreportersgetcaughtupinroutinecoverage,likepressconferences,insteadof focusingonmajorprojects.Alotofpaperscouldbemoreeffectiveiftheyusedtheir resourcesdifferently.Theyreonatreadmill.Theycandoabetterjobiftheyslowdown. EvelynLarrubia,amemberoftheLosAngelesTimesteamthatexposedhowsomeguardians oftheelderlyvictimisedandrobbedtheirclients,hadtosiftthroughthousandsofcasefiles todiscoverhowunscrupulousentrepreneurslootassets. 2009SkillCity/IMC 34


www.skillcity.pk

Throughthedrudgery,wekeptourfireinthebelly,(which)remindedusofhowimportant itistospeakforpeoplewhocantspeakforthemselves,shesaid. Larrubiaandhercolleaguessaidtheywereneveraskedtorushstoriesintothepaper.We hadthechancetodoitright,shesaid. Hercolleague,JackLeonard,saidthatalthoughTimesreportershadanenormoussenseof distrustoftheparentcompany(TribuneCo.)becauseofrecentnewsroomcutbacks,the paperhasntstrayedfromitsinvestigativereportingmission. Ifpapersaregoingtosurvive,wemustprovidereaderswiththeseservices,hesaid. DanaPriestsWashingtonPostseriesrevealingaC.I.A.networkofsecretprisonsoutsidethe U.S.,presentedherwithanewdilemma:Whatnottopublish.Itsachallengingissuefor ourbusiness.Wehavetothinkaboutthis,whichwerenottrainedtodo.Ihopethatas morereportersunderstandthecrucialroleofintelligence,theywilleducatethemselves (abouttheseissues). WhilePriestnotedsomenewsroomangstovereditorialbudgetcuts,sheandPost colleagueSusanSchmidtstressedthepaperscontinuedcommitmenttoinvestigative reporting. Schmidt,oneofathreepersonteamthatbroketheJackAbramofflobbyingscandal,said thepaperseesindepthreportingasthewaytocompetewithnewmedia.Wecandoit. Bloggerscant.Thatsourfranchise. AndherPostcolleague,JeffreySmith,predictedmoreandmorepaperswillcomearound toinvestigativereporting,asconsumerscangettheirbreakingnewsfromothersources. Ifweconcentrateoninvestigativereporting,wecanmakeadifferenceanddistinguish ourselvesfromeverythingavailableontheWeb.Wereveryslowasaninstitutiontorealise thatwecantjustwritewhathappened.Wehavetotellthemwhattheycantgetinany othermedia. ByBillKirtz,Professor,NortheasternUniversity

2009SkillCity/IMC

35


www.skillcity.pk

HowinvestigatingreportingmayprovetobechallengingforAfghan journalists?

SessionAim:Theaimofthissectionistobringtosurfacethemostthreateningconditions facingAfghaninvestigativereporters Method:Askparticipantstoshareinplenarywhatistheworstthreattheyhavereceivedso far.Followupquestion:inspiteofthesethreats,whatkeepsyoustillgoing?Andtheymight comeupwiththeirrealmotivationtobeasaninvestigativejournalist.Addthesereallife threatstothisevolvinglist,below. Time:20mins Materials:Experiencesharinginplenary Asafollowup,assignthemovernightreadingofAppendices1&2.

ThethreatstojournalistinAfghanistanmaybevariedfromdenyingaccesstoinformation tobeingkilledinthelineofduty.Theymaybe: Ridiculed Atthereceivingendofdelayingtacticseventospeaktoaministerforquote Deniedaccesstodocuments Deniedaccesstopublicofficialsandministers Threatenedfordireconsequencesorjobloss(incertaincases,theydolosejob!) Kidnappedforafewdaysorweeks,onsomeoccasionsformonths Attacked Killed Atworst,theirworkmayfallondeafears 36

2009SkillCity/IMC


www.skillcity.pk

UsefultipsforinvestigativereporterinAfghanistan SessionAim:TheaimofthissectionistoprovidesurvivaltipsforAfghaninvestigative reporters Method:Seeksurvivaltipsfromdroppingastorytoseekingabigpowersprotection Time:10mins Materials:Experiencesharinginplenary KnowtheAfghangeneral,medialawandcustoms Knowtheconnectionsinthehigherplaceandprocedures Watchyourback! Focusyourresearch Followthemoney Justkeepdigging!

2009SkillCity/IMC

37


www.skillcity.pk

Practicalskillsrequiredforaninvestigativereporter:TheRecap Aninvestigativereporterneedsnewideasonfindingandresearchingfreshstories.He/she needstoknowwheretofindleadsandspottingahiddenstory.Thisskillsetincludes: Writingthestory Notetaking Overcominglegalcomplications(checkingyourstoryforfactsandlibel) Safetyissuessecrecyandsecurityyourpersonalsecurityandthesafetyofyour sources Obtainingdocuments Handlingobstructiveanddifficultpeople,oftenthoseinpower Thehiddenmikeandcamerahowandwhentousethem Researchinghowtoopennewlinesofinquiry

2009SkillCity/IMC

38


www.skillcity.pk

Tipfromaninvestigativejournalist:Avoidconventionalwisdom anduncoverinvestigativegems[Usethiscasetoopenideas] TheNewYorkTimesWaltBogdanichin2008toldaroomfullofreportersataconference howhefindshisgreatinvestigativestories:Inthenewspaper. Thekey,hesaid,isreadingthepaperdifferentlythanthecasualmorningreaderreading storieswithaneyeforwhatisleftunsaid.Itispartofacontrarianattitudethathebelieves isessentialtofindinggreatstories. Caseinpoint:BogdanichsPulitzerPrizewinningworkonhowtoxinsfromChinahavemade itontotheglobalmarket.Thesparkforthestorywasanarticlehereadaboutarashof deathsinPanamafromcoldmedicine.Theconventionalwisdom,Bogdanichsaid,wasthat poisonaccidentallymadeitintothemedicine.Hedidntunderstandhowsomethinglike thatcouldbeanaccident. WhatIdoistheoppositeofconventionalwisdom.Youcantthinkthewayeveryoneelse thinks,hesaid. Sohepitchedthestory(althoughatthatpointheknewofnoAmericanconnection)and eventuallylearnedthatitwasntanaccidentitwasanindustry.Itwasthechemical industry,whichhadnobusinesssellingpharmaceuticalingredients,sellingouttheback door,unregulated. Bogdanichstipswereaimedatbusinessjournalistsbutcanbeappliedtoanybeat. Sellingthestory ThehardestpartofBogdanichsstory,hesaid,isnttheinvestigations,butgettingeditorsto givehimthegreenlight. Ifyoudontgetonthedancefloor,thereisnodance,hesaid.Itisaplannedsalesjob.Its notsomethingyoudoonthewaytothemensroomorthecafeteria...Itsan appointment. Headvisedmakingthatappointmentafteryouhavealreadydonesomediggingintothe story.Bringsomedocumentstobolsteryourargument.Dontaskforayearitsbetterto saythestorywilltakeacoupleweeksandkeepgoingthatwayaslongasyoucan. Andthatappointmentisbestmade,headded,afteryouhavealreadyreportedthestories suggestedbytheeditors. BySteveMyers

2009SkillCity/IMC

39


www.skillcity.pk

Theinvestigativetrailinvolvesfoursteps AdaptedfromsimilarworkshopworkproducedinthePhilippines SessionAim:Theaimofthissectionistodevelopastepbystepapproachtowards investigativereporting. Method:Askparticipantsinsmallgroupstolistthekeytaskstheyneedtoperformduring theprocessofaninvestigativereport.Theymightlistallthosetaskstheydo.Thenaskthem toputthesimilartasksunderasubheading,e.g.documentaryproofOncetheypresent theirfindingonaflipchart,showyourfourTrailsonPPtanddescribeeachtrailwithsome example. Time:20minsforgroupactivity+10minforgrouppresentations+10minforyourppt explanation Materials:Flipchart,markers,PowerPoint 1. Thepeopletrail:interviewswithsources,perpetratorsandvictims 2. Thepapertrail:documents 3. Theelectronictrail:theuseofcomputersandtheInternetforresearchand reporting 4. Fieldwork:onsiteinspections Explanationabouteachtrailinthefollowingpages.

2009SkillCity/IMC

40


www.skillcity.pk

1Peopletrail:aguidetosourcesandinterviews SessionAim:Theaimofthispracticalsectionistodevelopaskillsetinfollowingthepeople trail:howtofind,locatesourcesandinterviewthem. Method:AskparticipantstoreadtheIndianAmericancaseinthissection. Thendivideparticipantsintopairsandaskthemtolisttwoorthreesources(listA)theywill interviewforacorruptionstorytheyhaveseenintoday/thisweekspapersandtheywillbe workingon,andmakeacalltothesesources.Incase,thesourcesrefusetotalkto,they movetolistB,andsoon. Whentheyreturnfrompracticalactivity,askthemtonarratetheirexperienceeaseand challengesoftalkingtosourcesandgettingthemtoagreetobeontherecord. Time:10minsforcasereading+30minsforpairactivity+20minforexperiencesharingin plenary Materials:TheIndianAmericancaseinthissection.Today/thisweeksnewspapers/most recentcorruptionstoriesfromtheinternetsources Whytalktopeople?

Gatherfacts Getquotes/officialstatements Seekexpertopinion Explaindocuments Confirmwhatyoualreadyknow

Example:SeeaChicagoTribunereportofexposingtheIndianAmericanswrongdoingon thepagesahead,andtheiruseofsources/peopletrail.

Traditionalsourcesofnews

2009SkillCity/IMC

41


www.skillcity.pk

Governmentofficials Businessexecutives Police Military/ISAF Investigativeagencies

Seldomusedsources

Experts Lawyers Nongovernmentalandcommunityorganisations Fellowjournalists Relief,humanitarianandaidagencies,socialworkers Peoplebehindthescene Ordinarypeople,especiallythoseaffectedbygovernmentprogrammesorpolicies

Makesureyoursourcesarecredible,reliableandaccessible.

2009SkillCity/IMC

42


www.skillcity.pk

Caseinpoint:IndianAmericansinvolvedinIllinoisscandal:Report CHICAGO,13Dec2008:SeveraleminentIndianAmericansarelinkedtothecorruption scandalinvolvingIllinoisGovernorRodBlagojevichsattempttoselltheSenateseatvacated bypresidentelectBarackObama,afrontpageinvestigativereportbyTheChicagoTribune said. BlagojevichwasarrestedbytheFederalBureauofInvestigation(FBI)forallegedly negotiatingwithseveralpoliticianstonominatethemforthesenateseatformonetaryand materialfavour.Hewasletoffona$4,500cashbondbutthescandalhashoggedheadlines intheUS. Obama,whorepresentedIllinoisintheUSSenatebeforebeingelectedpresident,resigned aftertheelections.UnderUSlaws,thestategovernorhastheauthoritytonominatehis replacementfortherestoftheterm. TheChicagoTribunehasnamedseveralIndianAmericansallbasedinChicagoforholding negotiationsonbehalfofUSRepresentativeJesseJacksonJrwithBlagojevichovertheseat Obamavacated. JacksonhasbeennamedasSenateCandidate5intheFBIchargesheetagainsttheIllinois governor. TheIndianAmericansupportersofJackson,thenewspapersaid,promisedtoholda fundraiserfortheIllinoisgovernorforhisreelectionbidandraisemorethan$1millionin lieuofthesenateseat. ThedailyidentifiedonesuchIndianAmericanasRaghuveerNayakorRaghu. HeownsaseriesofsurgerycentresinChicago. Raghu(Nayak)saidheneededtoraiseamillionforRodtomakesureJessegottheseat,a businessmanwhoattendedoneofthemeetingswhererequestsweremadeforthe fundraiserwasquotedassayingbyTheChicagoTribune. Hesaid,Icanraisehalfofit,$500,000.,addedthebusinessman,alsoanIndianAmerican. Nayak,whothereportsaidisamajorBlagojevichfundraiser,alsohastieswiththeJackson family. NayakandJesseJacksonJrsbrotherJonathanhaveknowneachotherforalongtimeand evenwentintobusinesstogethersomeyearsago.

2009SkillCity/IMC

43


www.skillcity.pk

AmongotherIndianAmericansnamedinthereportarepharmacistHarishBhattand brothersRajinderBediandJatinderBedi. RajinderismanagingdirectorfortheIllinoisDepartmentofCommerceandEconomic OpportunitysOfficeofTradeandInvestment,overseeingnineforeigntradeofficesaround theworld,fromChinatoIsrael.JatinderiseditoroftheChicagobasedethnicIndian newspaper,IndianReporter. Quotingtwounidentifiedbusinessmenwhoattendedthefundraisermeetings,thereport saidNayakandRajinderprivatelytoldmanyofthemorethantwodozenattendeesthatthe fundraisingeffortwasaimedatsupportingJacksonsbidfortheSenate. OnesuchfundraiserwasheldafewdaysbeforethearrestoftheIllinoisgovernor.Itwasco sponsoredbyNayakandattendedbyJonathanJacksonaswellasBlagojevich,accordingto severalpeoplewhowerethere. IftekharShareef,pastpresidentoftheinfluentialFederationofIndianAssociations,who attendedthefundraiser,said:Raghu(Nayak)isalwaystalkingabouthowweneedto appointJessetotheSenate.Theyareveryclose.RaghuisclosetoalltheJacksons.Heeven askedmetowritealettertothegovernorsupportingJesseforthesenate.

2009SkillCity/IMC

44


www.skillcity.pk

Theartoftheinterview:thesetup[Usethissectiontoraiseawarenessabout questionsandhowtoframeandaskthemproperly]

Research:Checknewsclips,read,askaround Plan:Whotointerviewfirst?Wheretointerview?Howtointerview(phone,faceto face,email)? Organise:Minimuminterviewschedule:mostimportantquestions,keywords Innerinterviewing:Warmup,thinkofanicebreaker

Yourinterviewquestions

Openquestions:(Whatdoyouthinkof?) Questionsthatcallforspecificanswers:WHO,WHAT,WHERE,WHEN,HOW,WHY? (5Ws,1H) Questionsthatexpanduponwhatsalreadyknownorsaid(Givemeanexample.Tellme howithappened.) Questionsthatclarify(Whatexactlydoyoumean?Inwhatway?) Questionsthatprobe(Howdoyouknowthat?Whatproofdoyouhave?) Questionsthatdisplayobjectivity(Yourcriticssaythat.Itsbeensaidthat) Questionswithalogicalsequence

Problematicinterviewquestions

Closedquestions,unlessyoureafteracategoricalanswer(Questionsthatcanbe answeredwithyesornoorwithotheronewordanswers) Leadingquestions(Arentyouangryatcriticswhoarequestioningyourintegrity?) Dualisticquestions(Doyouknowwhetherornotyourehealthyenoughtoruninthe elections?) Apologeticquestions(Ihatetoask,butIknowitsoundsstupid,but) Questionswithtwoormoreparts(Howdidthestandingcommitteefindoutaboutthe anomalyandwhatdidthecommitteedowhentheylearnedaboutit?

Befairtosources

2009SkillCity/IMC

45


www.skillcity.pk

Agreeontheinterviewconditionsandcategorieswiththesources:Istheinterview?

Ontherecord Notforattribution Background Offtherecord Pseudonym

Notetaking

Tapetheinterview(audiooraudiovideo),butalsodobackupnotes Notetaking o Adoptapersonalsystemforhighlightingmostimportantquotes,details o Jotdownpersonalobservationontone,colour,textureofinterview

2009SkillCity/IMC

46


www.skillcity.pk

Sixdifficultinterviewsituations:gettingyoursourcetotalk SessionAim:Theaimofthispracticalsectionistolistthechallengingsituationsthe participantsmayfacewhiletalkingto/interviewingthesources.Andstepstheycantakein eachinstance. Method:Dividetheclassintosixgroups.Eachgroupmakesashort,twominute presentationhighlightingeachsetofdifficultiescombiningthemwithpracticalexperience oftheirown. Time:30minsforpreparingandpresentingeachsetofdifficulty Alternative:Inordertohaveavarietyinexercises,seeksixpairsofvolunteersandaskthem toroleplayeachsituation.Thismayturnouttobefun. Materials:Flipcharts,markers

1. Sourceseeksyououtfirstwithatiporleak

Byallmeans,talkthesourcebutaskfordocumentsorothersourcestocheck/prove whatheorsheissaying Investigatenotonlytheissue,butthesource(whatshis/hermotive?) Ifheorshesawhistleblower,beclearthatyoucantofferhim/herprotection Ifheorshesgoingontherecord,gethim/hertosignapaper(justincaseheorshe decidestowithdrawinthefuture)

2. Sourcekeepsrefusingtomeetyou

Findoutwhyheorsherefusestotalk Exploreallpossibilities(phone,email,fax,letter).Addclipstoyourlettertoconvincethe subject Gothroughanintermediary(sons,relatives,friends,colleagues) Getathirdpartytoassurethemofyourintegrityasajournalist Tellsourcewhyyouwanttotalk;revealalittleofwhatyouknow

2009SkillCity/IMC

47


www.skillcity.pk

Findopportunitiestomeetsourceinformally Sendthequestionsandsay:Heretheyare,itsnowuptoyou Inextremecases,waitatthepersonsofficedoorandforcedentry

3. Sourcedemandsnoattributionorofftherecord

Persuadethesourcetogoontherecord(ornoattribution)andfullyexplainwhyheor sheshould Listenrespectfullyandlaterinject:IsthereanywayIcanquoteyouaboutthat? Ifhesstillreluctant,ask:Aretheredocumentsorotherpersonswhomightrevealthe sameinformation? Dontacceptafterthefactrequests,especiallyfrommediasavvysources Gethimtoagreetogoontherecordifyoucouldfindsomebodywhoissimilarly situatedwhowillalsogoontherecord Anagreementisanagreement,somakesureyouprotectyoursourcesidentity

4. ThesourceshowsupwiththeirPRO,spokesmanorsecretary

Tellthesourcepolitelyitss/heyouwanttotalkto(Icametoseeyou,notthem, becausethepublicIdontmeantoberudeisnotinterestedinhearingfroma subordinate.Thepublicwantstohearwhatthebossmayhavetosay. IfthePROanswers,turnthequestionbacktothesourcewhentheyredonespeaking (Andwhatsyourresponse?) IfthePROtriestoterminatetheinterviewprematurely,tellthem,Wellstopthis interviewwithyouradmissionthatwerenotgettingtomainorcrucialpoints.

5. Thesourcebecomesfurious

Dontgetangry.Maintaincontrol butdonttrytocalmthesubjecteither.Lethim/hertalk. Bepolitebutpopthequestionyouneedto(Whydidyoutakethemoney?Whydidyou doit?) Avoidinterruptingthesourcewhenconflictarises

6. Thesourcethreatensyouwithdireconsequences2009SkillCity/IMC 48


www.skillcity.pk

Watchyourback Dontgetkilledorkidnapped! Weighwhatismoreimportantthecausethatyouareworkingon,oryourlife

2009SkillCity/IMC

49


www.skillcity.pk

2Thepapertrail:principlesandtechniques SessionAim:Theaimofthispracticalsectionistodevelopadocumentsstateofmindfor investigativereporters. Method:ShowtheparticipantsthecasestudyaboutPakistaniChiefJustice,andaskthemto discussinsmallgroupswhatdocumentstheywillneedtoaccesstowriteanddefendthis storyinacourtoflaw. Time:20minsforreadingthecaseandcomingupwithanswers Secondactivity:Dividetheparticipantsintofourgroups.Givethemfourseparatestories fromthisweek,andaskthemtolistthedocumentstheyneed. Materials:Casestudy,newspapers Weneedadocumentsstateofmindtobeagoodinvestigativejournalist.Thismeanswe constantlytellourselvesthatdocumentsareimportanttosupportandbackupallegations inourreport. Example:SeeaPakistanireportersexampleofexposingtheChiefJusticeswrongdoingon pagesahead,andhisuseofpapertrail.

Generallyinthemoredevelopinganddevelopedcountries,thereisnodearthof documents.Youcanfinddocumentsin: However,intheAfghanistancontext,eventhissimpleavailabilityofdocumentsmay becomecumbersome.Afghanseniorjournalistsexperienceisthatofficialsrefuseto provideyouadocumentinspiteofallsortsofattempts.Andtheonlywaytogainaccessto adocumentmaybebribingsomeone. Hardcopy Softcopy:Computerdatabases,CDROMs,onlineinformation

2009SkillCity/IMC

50


www.skillcity.pk

AnotherdifficultyintheAfghancontextislackofdigitaloronlineinformationaboutthe countrybecauseofthecultureofsecrecyprevalentinthecountry,thankstoAfghanistan beingthefrontlinestateinthewaronterror. Twotypesofdocuments Secondarysources Newspapersandotherperiodicals Corporatereports Directoriesandyearbooks Otherspecialisedpublications:Donorreports,industrystudies,etc. Secondarysources:Previouslypublishedbooks,reports,articles,etc.Easytoaccess Primarysources:Unpublisheddocuments.Difficulttoobtain

2009SkillCity/IMC

51


www.skillcity.pk

Primarydocuments Nonpublicdocuments Whenyouredeniedapublicrecord Assertyourrighttoinformation(particularlywhenlawsandconstitutionguarantee access.AlthoughAfghanistanhasyettolegislateaFreedomofInformationAct,FOIA. MoreaboutthisinChapter4) Followup.Followup.Followup Speaktosomebodyinthepowerotherthanyouareinvestigating.Theymayhelp. IftherearediscipliningagencieslikeaMohtasibortribunal,letitbeknowntothem Anotherpersonorofficecouldhaveacopy.Rememberthatthesedocumentsoften havemorethanonecopy.Inmostcases,youmaybribesomeonetogetacopy Investigativefiles Intelligenceagencyreports Bankrecords Incometaxreturns Loanpaymentinvestigations Medical/psychiatricfiles Public/officialrecords Nonpublicrecords

ObstaclestoaccesstoinformationinAfghanistanare: CultureofsecrecyasprevalentinAfghanistanbecauseofitsfrontlinestatusinwaron terror Political/warlords/druglordsintervention/useofsecrecybyforeignforces Lackofpublicinformationabouttherighttoinformationandprocedurestoaccess informationintheabsenceofFOIA Unclear/undefinedlawsandprocedures Inadequate/undevelopedinformationinfrastructure

2009SkillCity/IMC

52


www.skillcity.pk

3Theelectronictrail SessionAim:TheaimofthispracticalsectionistodevelopaninternetsearchIQamong investigativereporters Method:Makethisapracticalactivityofaninternetsearchfor30mins.Itdoesnthaveto beanAfghanstory(astheresdearthofmaterialsonAfghanistancorruption).Itcouldbe countryspecific,likecorruptionstoriesfromIndia,orsubjectspecific,e.g.corruptionin humanitarianaid.Whilesearching,theytakenotesonwhattheyobservedaboutsourceof report,domains,dateofreport,authenticityofreports,etc. Time:30minsforsearchingtheinternet+20minsfordebrief+10minsforPoynterIQ checklistPptpresentation Materials:PCs/laptopswithfastspeedinternetconnection Computerassistedresearch Searchenginesforonlineresearch Googlewww.google.com Crawlerbasedsearchengines,suchasgoogle Humanpowereddirectories,suchastheOpenDirectory Usingsecondaryandprimarysourcesinbothonlineandofflinedatabases OfflinedatabasesusuallycomeintheformofCDROMs(suchasencyclopaediaand specialiseddatabases) TheInternetismoreofatool,thananewssourceinitself Internetcanbeusedtohelpreportersdobackgroundresearch;verifyinformation gatheredfromothersources;framequestionstoaskininterviews Usinginformationavailableelectronicallytoperformtasksassociatedwithjournalism

2009SkillCity/IMC

53


www.skillcity.pk

comprehensivecoverage greatrelevancy usedforfindingwebpages,images,discussions,products cachedlinkswillfindevendeadpages;spellchecking;dictionarydefinitions

Othersearchengines Yahoowww.yahoo.com MSNwww.live.com o Thesesearchenginesarecapableofgivingyounotonlywebpagesbutalso pictures,audioandvideofiles,news,products ThebasicsofSearch[Google] Choosingkeywords Forbestresults,itsimportanttochooseyourkeywordswisely Trytheobviousfirst.IfyourelookingforinformationonHamidKarzai,enterHamid Karzai,notPresident Usewordslikelytoappearonasitewiththeinformationyouwant.combating corruptionAfghanistangetsbetterresultsthanlessenincidenceofcorruption Afghanistan.Anotherexample:poorinAfghanistangetsbetterresultsthanpoverty alleviationinAfghanistan. Capitalisation Searchesarenotcasesensitive.Allletters,nomatterhowyoutypethem,willbe understoodaslowercase.Forexample,searchesforTransparencyandAccountability andtransparencyaccountabilityandwillgetthesameresults. Automaticandqueries Thereisnoneedtoincludeandbetweenterms Theorderinwhichthetermsaretypedwillaffectthesearchresults Torestrictasearchfurther,addmoreterms

2009SkillCity/IMC

54


www.skillcity.pk

Forexample,tofindliteratureonethicalissuesinjournalism,typeethicsjournalism. TofindmaterialsonethicalissuesfacedbyjournalistsinAfghanistan,typeethics journalismAfghanistan

Automaticexclusionofcommonwords Googleignorescommonwordsandcharacterssuchaswhereandhow,aswellas certainsingledigitsandsingleletters,becausetheytendtoslowdownyoursearch withoutimprovingtheresults. Ifacommonwordisessentialingettingtheresultsyouwant,doaphrasesearch,by puttingquotationmarksaroundtwoormorewords.Commonwordsinaphrasesearch (e.g.,whereareyou)areincludedinthesearch.

Advancedsearch Humanpowereddirectories TheOpenDirectorydmoz.org o o o o Metasearchers(simultaneouslymakesuseofmorethanonesearchengine)

Language:Specifywhichlanguageyouwouldlikeyourresultsreturnedin,likeDari Date:Restrictyourresultstothepastthree,six,ortwelvemonths Domains:Searchonlyaspecificwebsiteorexcludethatsitecompletelyfromyoursearch

usesvolunteereditorstocataloguetheweb butnobackupresultswhenthereisnomatchwithhumancompiledlists

GoogleDirectorydirectory.google.com keywordsearching softwarecreatesbackupforhumancompiledsearches

Dogpiledogpile.com:sendsasearchtoalistofsearchengines,directoriesand specialtysearchsites Vivisimovivisimo.com:automaticallyorganisesthepagesintocategories

2009SkillCity/IMC

55


www.skillcity.pk

InternetIQchecklistforjournalists(PoynterInstitute) Whattolookforinreportsanddatawhensearchingtheinternet: 1. Authority ToknowwhopublishedthepagechecktheURL:thetopleveldomain? 2. Objectivity 3. Timelinessorcurrency Whenwasthepageproduced? Whenwasitlastupdated? Isituptodate? Arethelinkscurrent? Whatopinionsorbiases,ifany,areexpressedintheinformation? Isthesiteamaskforadvertisingoranagenda?(Isthereadvertisingonthepage?) comcommercialorganisations edueducationalorganisations govgovernmentorganisations,nonmilitary orgotherorganisations netnetworkresources milmilitary(army,navy,etc.) Whowroteitandwhy?Whopublisheditandforwhatpurpose? Aretheauthorscredentialsprovided?(lookforalinktoAboutus) Istherecontactinformationforthepeoplewhoputupthesite?(Lookforalinkto ContactusorEmailus)

2009SkillCity/IMC

56


www.skillcity.pk

4. Sourcing 5. Verification Asidefromresearch,thepersonalcomputerassistsjournalistsinthreeotherways AlthoughthismaybetoomuchtoaskforinthecurrentAfghansituationaswearestill strugglingwithverybasicjournalisticinfrastructurehereandverylittledataareavailableon theinternetregardingAfghanistan. Reporting:Databasesoftwaretobuildoriginalcollectionsofinformation;spreadsheet programsforanalyses;statisticalprogramsforlargedatasets Rendezvous:Listservs/emaillists,newsgroups,forums Reference:dictionaries,encyclopaedia,glossaries Findatleastoneotherreputablesource,preferablynotonline,thatprovidessimilar information Whatisthesourceofinformation?Isitreliable?

2009SkillCity/IMC

57


www.skillcity.pk

4aOnsitefieldwork:InvestigatingcorruptionSessionAim:Theaimofthissectionistonowmoveontonarrowdowntheavenuesof corruptionintheAfghansociety. Method:AskparticipantstodiscussthemostprobableavenuesofcorruptionintheAfghan society,andprepareaflipchart Time:20minsforpreparation+2mineachforpresentation Materials:Groupdiscussion+flipscharts+presentation Asafollowup,assignthemovernightreadingofAppendices3to7. Whatiscorruption? LorenzoDelesgues,KevinSavage,EllenMartinandGulPachaUlfatintheir2007report titledCorruptionPerceptionsandRisksinHumanitarianAssistance:anAfghanistanCase Studydefinecorruptionasthemisuseofentrustedpowerforprivategain. Inhis2006studyMappingtheRisksofCorruptioninHumanitarianAction,Ewinsexplains thatinthecontextofhumanitarianrelief,thismeansthinkingthroughwherepowerlies, whatwouldconstitutemisuse,howpowerhasbeenentrustedandwhatprivatemeans. TheConstitutionofAfghanistanhighlightsthatitsthejobofthegovernmenttoeliminate corruption.InArticle75Ch.4.Art.5,theconstitutionstates: Amongothers,thegovernmenthasthefollowingduties: Whileinvestigatingthecasesofcorruptionbyindividualsororganisations,wewillneedto dothesethings: Maintenanceofpubliclawandorderandeliminationofadministrativecorruption.

2009SkillCity/IMC

58


www.skillcity.pk

Westartbyexperimentingintheseinvestigativetechniques.Therearefourcommonand basictechniques: 1. Observation 2. Participantobservation 3. Interviewofvictimsofcorruption 4. Useofhiddencamerastorecordbribetaking Theimpactofusingthesefourtechniquescouldbethatweareonly: Moresophisticatedtechniquescouldinclude: Wheninvestigatingcontracts,seetheredflags! Nopublicbidding Riggedbidding Narrowspecifications Splittingofcontracts Changeorders Costoverruns Overpricing Underdeliveriesandnondelivery(ghostdelivery) Inferiororsubstandardproductsorservice Doublepayments Redtape Conflictofinterest(aministerofferingservicestogovernment) Morefocusonpublicrecords Manymorehumansources Examiningfinancialandcorporatedocumentsandgovernmentcontracts Moresophisticatedfieldwork Buildingcomputerdatabases Abletoexposeonlypettycorruption Onlylowerlevelofficialsarecaught StructuresandculturelikethatofAfghanistanthatmakecorruptionpossiblebutnot exposed

2009SkillCity/IMC

59


www.skillcity.pk

Salariesandappointments Benefits Audits Whoaudits? Howthoroughistheaudit? Whichagencyorunitisunaudited? Howdidauditorsaudit? Governmentpaidexpenses Travel Cellphonecalls Acquisition/useofgovernmentpropertyandsuppliesforpersonaluse Discretionaryspending:intelligencefunds,developmentfunds Nepotism Specialandconfidentialpositions Contractedstaff Appointmentstojuicypositions Ghostemployees Employeeovertime Incentives,benefitsforselectgroup

Papertrailforinvestigatingcorruptionincludes: Somehumansourcesforinvestigatingcorruption Contractorsandsuppliers,wheninvestigatingprocurementsorcontracts Losingbiddersorpolitical/businessrivals Formerofficialswhoknowthesystem Assetdeclarationsofministryofficialsandpoliticians Corporateandpropertyrecords Contracts Auditreports Courtrecords

2009SkillCity/IMC

60


www.skillcity.pk

Lawyersoraccountantsareusuallyeitheraccomplicesincrimeorelsehavebeen contractedtosniffitout Investigators(police,intelligenceagencies,ombudsman,assemblystandingcommittees, administrativebodies) Victimsthemselves

2009SkillCity/IMC

61


www.skillcity.pk

4bOnsitefieldwork:Investigatingpublicofficials SessionAim:Theaimofthissectionistolearntoinvestigatethecorruptofficialsinthe Afghansociety. Method:Askparticipantstodiscussthemostprobablewaysoffindingoutthecorruption donebytheAfghanofficials,andprepareaflipchart Time:20minsforpreparation+2mineachforpresentation Materials:Groupdiscussion+flipscharts+presentation

1. Investigateassets Whyinvestigateassets? Papertrailforinvestigatingassets Statements/declarationsofassets Property/ownershiprecords o Land o Companies(registrationandfinancialstatements) o Vehicles Licensesandpermits(forbusinesses,etc) Listings,records,publicationsoftradeandprofessionalorganisations Biographies,newsarticles,familyhistories Toexamineconflictofinterest Toshowthefruitsofcorruption,ratherthanhowthecorruptionwasdone Toshowwhatinterestshaveanimpactonlaws,policiesanddecisions Comparingassetstatements(financialdisclosures)withactualassets Showingdisparitiesbetweenwhatisdeclaredandwhatisactuallyownedby examiningotherpublicrecords Exposinghowofficialshideassets(throughdummies)orinflateliabilities(through fakeloans)

2009SkillCity/IMC

62


www.skillcity.pk

2. Investigatethewaytheylive 3. Examineconflictsofinterest 4. Investigatetheirbehaviourinthepublic 5. Investigatefriends,relativesandcronies 6. Establishingrelationships Familyrelationships:biographies,newspaperarticles Schools:schoolrecords,listingsofalumni Professionalrelationships:professionalassociations Havefamilyorfriendsbeengivenfavourabletreatmentgovernmentjob,contract, governmentloan,privilegedinformation? Docroniesactasdummiesforofficials? Docertainindividualsactasintermediariesfordealmakingbyofficials? Whodoofficialsmeetwith?Partywith?Playgolfwith?Goouthuntingwith? Aretherecodesofethicsorcodesofconductthatgovernofficialbehaviour? Canthebehaviourbeconsideredinappropriateorunethicalevenwithoutsuchcodes? Comparewhattheyownvswhattheyregulate,legislate,decideon,andhavepower over Didtheyinhibitthemselvesfromdiscussionsordecisionsinwhichtheyhaveaconflictof interest? Dotheyusetheirpowerstobenefittheirinterests? Hobbies,recreation(includingclubmemberships) Socialaffiliations Restaurants&VIPplacesfrequented Foreigntrips Schoolswherechildrengo Shopsthey,theirspousesandchildrenpatronise Clothes,jewellerytheywear Whattheycollect(likeart,cars,horses,antiques)

2009SkillCity/IMC

63


www.skillcity.pk

Clubs:membershiplists Religious,geographicalorethnicgroupaffiliation Electionorfundraisingcampaigncontributors:campaignrecords

7. Whoisresponsible? Tracingtherouteofcorruptionshouldbeginwithfindingoutwherethepowerlies. Whomakesthedecisions? Whohasthepowertointerpretorbendtherules? Whosesignaturesarerequiredtosignacontract,permit,appointment,etc?

2009SkillCity/IMC

64


www.skillcity.pk

InvestigatingtheSupremeCourtandotherhighercourts[discussthisandcautionthe participantsaboutcontemptofcourtandrelatedissues] TheConstitutionofAfghanistanmakessurethatjudgesarenotabovethelaw.InArticle133 Ch.7.Art.18,theconstitutionstates: Example:PakistansChiefJusticeobtaininghighermarksforherdaughtertogetadmission inmedicalcollege(CaseinpointPakistanireporterAnsarAbbasisstoryabouttheChief JusticeofPakistansdaughtergettingadditionalmarksinthefollowingpages). Hardfact:Soyouhavedoneyourbits,tooktheriskofexposingacorruptofficialandyour reportisonairorinpaper.Whathappensthen?YourreportsareIGNORED! AsanAfghanjournalistexplainstoafellowmediaman:Myfearisthatthegovernment startstoignoreourreportsandnotreacttothem.Ignoringourreportsisthebiggestway theycanhurtus.Thisisthethreat,thisisdangerousforus,thisispainful,whenyourjobis noteffective;thisisdangerous.IthinkitsgoingtobelikeAmericandemocracy,themedia isfreetosayanything,butthegovernmentisdeaftothem. AfterthePresidentialapproval,theaccusedjudgeisdismissedfromduty,andpunished inaccordancewiththeprovisionsofthelaw. Afterlisteningtohisdefence,whentheSupremeCourtregardstheaccusationtobe valid,itshallpresentaproposalaboutthejudgesdismissaltothePresident. Whenajudgeisaccusedofhavingcommittedacrime,theSupremeCourtshallinquire aboutthecaseinvolvingthejudgeinaccordancewiththelaw. Examinationofcaseshandledbylawofficesthatincludedsonsanddaughtersof SupremeCourtjustices Examinationofvotingbythesejusticesonthesecases Examinationofoverseastripsmadebyjustices(withthehelpofflightrecords) Examinationoflifestyles,includingsocialschedulesofjustices

2009SkillCity/IMC

65


www.skillcity.pk

Caseinpoint:PakistaniChiefJusticesdaughtergottwomarksoutofone! ByAnsarAbbasi ISLAMABAD,19January2009:ThetwosamplesofChiefJusticesdaughter,MissFarah HameedDogarsanswersheetsrevealanotheraspectofscandalousjackingupofhermarks. TheanswersheetsweremadepartoftheIslamabadHighCourtsrecentjudgmenttoprove irregularitiesthatwerecitedasthereasonforthereassessmentofherpapers.Inone casepertainingtothepaperofPhysicsII,despiteheranswerbeingincorrect,MissFarah wasgiventwomarkswhilethatpartcarriedonlyonemark.IncaseofUrdupaper,despite makingfourmistakesinatwolineanswer,shewasgiventwomarksoutofthree. AfterthiscorrespondentsecuredthequestionpapersofPhysicsIIandUrdufortheFederal BoardHSSCIIExaminations2008andcomparedthesamewiththetwosamples,as reproducedintheIHCjudgment,itisalsorevealedthatthejudgmentpointedoutawrong answerforthePhysicsIIanswerreproducedintheverdict. Onpage13,thejudgmentsaid:OnvisualexaminationofPhysicsIIpaper,answerto questionNo5(b)isgivenbelow:No,theplatesofcapacitorisnotofdifferentsizes; howevertodecreasetheelectrostaticfactoradielectricmediumisputtedinbetween them. Thenthejudgewrote:Theexaminercrossedthequestionandawardedzeromark.Later on,hegaveonemark.Onreevaluation(reassessment),anothermarkwasadded.It meansthatinthisparticularquestionofthepaper,thecandidategottwomarks. Thequestionpaper,however,showsthattheaboveanswerpertainstoXIV(b)ofQ.2,which readsas:Acapacitorisconnectedacrossabattery:(b)Isthistrueeveniftheplatesareof differentsizes?ItcarriestotalonemarkaspartXIV,havingthreesubpartsa,bandc hadtotalthreemarks.Againsttheanswerreproducedabove,thecandidate,when reassessed,gottwomarksagainstthepartthatcarriedonlyonemark.ItmeansevenifMiss Farahsanswerwas100percentcorrect,shewouldnothavegotmorethanonemark,but shegottwo. Q.5(b)asreferredbytheIHCisirrelevanttotheanswerreproducedandreadsas:Whatis meantbyhalflifeofaradioactiveelement?Howcanitbedeterminedfromthedecay constantofradioactiveelement?Andiftheanswerreproducedisconsideredasanswerto Q.5(b),itisstraightawayincorrect.2009SkillCity/IMC 66


www.skillcity.pk

TheChairmanDepartmentofPhysics,QuaideAzamUniversity,Islamabad,DrHoodbhoy, whencontacted,saidthatinthePhysicsIIsampleinwhichMissFarahwasgiventwomarks afterthecontroversialreassessment,sheactuallydeservedzero. Ihaveseenthequestionsenttomewhichreads:Acapacitorisconnectedacrossa battery,aswellastheanswergivenbytheexaminee,saidtobeMsFarahDogar.The answerisincorrectanddeserveszeromark,DrHoodbhoyconveyedtoTheNewsinhis writtenanswersentthroughanemail. InUrdupaper,accordingtothejudgment,onemarkwasawardedinanswertoaquestion, reproducedinthejudgment,whileafterreassessment,thecandidatewasgivenan additionalmark.ThequestionpaperofUrdu,asobtainedbyTheNews,showsthatthe question2(i)thataskedBabarstoughnesscarriestotalthreemarks,outofwhichMiss Farahgottwomarksdespitemakingtwospellingmistakesandtwomistakesofidioms.Ina languagepaper,spellingandgrammaticalmistakesaretakenseriously,butinMissFarahs case,afteronemark,shewasgiventwomarks. Inboththesampleanswers,reproducedinthejudgment,thejudgepointedoutinboththe casesthattheexaminerinitiallygavezeromark,butreviewedhisownassessmentlaterand gaveonemarktoeachquestion.Throughreassessment,marksinboththequestionswere jackeduptotwomarkseach. Afterreproducingthetwosamplesandthedetailsofnumbersoriginallygivenandrevised, thejudgesaid:Idofindsomeoftheirregularitiesinotherpaperstoo.Insuchasituation, whenthechairmanexaminedtheanswerbooksofthepapersindispute,hemadea decision,rightlysotodirectreassessment. Overlookingthescandalousflawsdiscussedabove,thejudgeruled:Thereisnothingwrong inthemarksincreasedinreevaluationbytheexpertsinthefieldandnoexceptioncanbe takenbythiscourttotheprocedureadoptedby(the)chairmanandthereevaluationmade byexaminers.

2009SkillCity/IMC

67


www.skillcity.pk

Puttingitallinpractice

SessionAim:Theaimofthispracticalsectionisputinpracticewhateverwehavelearntso far.Thissectionhastwofactsheetsoneforabrief,simpleinvestigation.Thesecondisfor anelaborate,corruptionrelatedstory. Method:Askparticipantstointerviewdummysourceswithinthegroupforbothstories andwritedownthe300wordand1,200wordreports,respectively.Drawtheirattentionto astorylengthof300wordsonthenextpage. ParticipantsputtheirstoriesontheKabulWallofCorruptionforotherpeopletoview, makecomments,andimprovementsbythefacilitatorandpeers Time:40minsforinterviewing/writingup+30minsforpeer/facultyreview Materials:NetworkedPCs/laptopswithprinter+blankA4papers+blutek+hallwall

Inordertopracticewhatwehavelearntsofar,letusnowcarryoutapracticalexerciseof doingsomebasicinvestigationandwritinga300wordstory.Thenextexercise2isabit morecomplex. WorkshopExercise1:Startingwithasimpleinvestigation Hereisanexercisethatissimpleandcanbelotsoffunwhenworkingwithotherjournalists inyourmediahouse.Youcanpairwithanotherjournalist.Itdealsnotsomuchwith investigativereportingaswiththemostbasicstepsofreporting.Ourexperienceisthat mostreportersinAfghanistanmayneedtoworkonthebasics. Heresafactsheetforthestory: AfirehasoccurredontheoutskirtsoftheKabulcity,inanareacalledCompanywheremany usedcarshowroomsarefound.Thefirehasoccurredinarefugeecampinawiredarea.It wasacrosstheroadfromapetrolpumpwith125,000gallonsofpetrol. Themotherofa12yearoldstartedthefirewhenshefellasleepandknockedoveracandle. Hersonismissing. Thealarmwascalledinbyaneighbour.Ittook35minutesforthefirebrigadetoarrive.The firebrigadechiefcouldbeseentalkingtobusinesspeoplewhohaveusedcar stores/garagesattheedgeoftherefugeesettlement.Hewasseentakingmoneyfrom businessmen.2009SkillCity/IMC 68


www.skillcity.pk

Theguardatthepetrolpumpwasawitnesstothis.Thefirewasputoutaftertwohours. Thirtyfamilytentshavebeendestroyed. The12yearoldboyismissingandthereisaquestionaboutwhetherornotheburnedin thefire. Therewererumoursthatthefiremenprotectedthecarbusinessesanddidnttakecareof thepoorpeoplewholivedinthetentedsettlement. Asagroup,choosethreepeopleamongyourotherfellowjournaliststointerviewaboutthis story.Whomdoyouchoose?Why? Itisyourjobtocreateastory.Itisalsoyourjobinquestioningthesepeopletotryto uncoverthetruth. Youhave15minutestotalkwitheachofthethreepeopleintheformofapressconference. Yourtask:Writea300wordnewsreport.

2009SkillCity/IMC

69


www.skillcity.pk

Howlongshouldbethestory?[Thissectionwillhelpwiththefirstinvestigation] ShortandSweet:Storytellingin300Words AnAmericanjournalist,BradyDennis,offerssomeinsightonhowlongthestoryshouldbe. BradywasanightcopsreporterintheTampabureauofPoyntersSt.PetersburgTimes whenhestartedwriting300Words,aseriesofshortstories,in2004.In2008,hewonthe ErniePyleAwardforhumaninterestwritingforhisseries.The300Wordsstorieshave beenrunningonthefrontpageofthepaperslocalnewssection,aboutonceamonth. Excerptsfromaninterviewwiththewriterof300Words: Q:Whatdidyoulearnaboutwritingshortstorieswithabeginning,middleandend? Ilearneditdoesnttake3,000wordstoputtogetherabeginning,middleandend.Agood storyisagoodstory,nomatterthelength.Andsometimestheshorteronesturnouttobe morepowerfulthanthewindyones. Thatsaid,theresariskofsoundinglikeImadvocatingsupershortstorieswithno traditionalnutgraph.Notso.Ibelievenomatterhowlongorshortthestory,peopleshould knowwhyitisimportantandworththeirtime.Itsnotenoughjusttopaintaprettypicture. Wemuststrivetotellthemsomethingabouttheworldthatmatters,tobejournalistsand notsimplystorytellers.Hopefully,inanontraditionalway,300Wordsdoesthat. Q:Hasitmadeyouabetterreporter?Betterwriter? Absolutely.300Wordsmademeabetterreporterbyforcingmetorelyalmostprimarily onobservation.Noticethatmostpiecescontainalmostnoquotes.Ididntinterviewpeople asmuchasIsimplyshutmymouthandwatchedandlistened.Wedontdothatenough. Italsomademeamoreeconomicalwriter.Withonly300wordstospare,eachonehadto matter.IvetriedtoapplythatruletotheotherstoriesIdo,eventhelongones.Theideais tocutawaythefatandleaveonlythemuscle.Asmyeditorrepeatedagainandagain:Less ismore.Itstrueformoststorieswewrite.

2009SkillCity/IMC

70


www.skillcity.pk

Puttingitallinpractice...continues[Wittenexercisecontinues] Pleaseseeinstructionsontheprevioussection Time:60minsforinterviewing/writingup+40minsforpeer/facultyreview Alternatively,thiscouldbeareallifestorytheyworkon. Materials:NetworkedPCs/laptopswithprinter+blankA4papers+blutek+hallwall Letsnowlookatanotherinvestigationandwritingexerciseabitmorecomplexwith severalthreadsofinterviews,searches,researchesandtrails. YoumayreadthisinconjunctionwiththeConstitutionofAfghanistan,whichdisallows publicofficeholderstoengageinaprofitablebusinesswiththegovernment: Article151Ch.11,Art.1states: ThePresident,VicePresidents,Ministers,HeadandmembersoftheSupremeCourt, HeadoftheCentralBank,NationalSecurityDirectorate,GovernorsandMayorscannot engageinanyprofitablebusinesscontractswiththegovernmentorindividualsduring theirtermofoffice. Contractsforthepurposeoffulfillingpersonalneedsareexceptiontothisprovision.

WorkshopExercise2:InvestigatinganAfghanistanminister(oranofficial) Firstlead:Howwecanbegin WegetreportsthatfancyhomesarebeingbuiltinSherpur.Mostofthereportscome fromresidentsoftheareaswherethesehousesarelocated. TherearepersistentrumoursofbigamountsofmoneybeinggiventotheMinisterin exchangeforgovernmentcontracts. TherearereportsthatmiddlemenoftheMinisterwereinvolvedinvariousbusinesses.

2009SkillCity/IMC

71


www.skillcity.pk

Ahypothesisisatheoryorapremisetofocusaninvestigation Example:SincehisbecominganAfghanMinisterin2004,thisMinisterhasaccumulated wealthandbuiltbighousesthatcannotbeexplainedbyhisstatementofassetsand whatheearnsasMinister. Theinvestigativetrail (Makeastrategyfortheinvestigation) Thepapertrail:documents Thepeopletrail:interviews Theelectronictrail:theuseofcomputersandtheinternetforresearchandreporting Onsitefieldwork OurstrategywillbetofinddocumentaryproofthatthehousesareforMinisterandofthe extentofthebusinessinvolvementsofhiswifeandchildren Searchofcorporaterecords:Lookforcompaniesinwhichwives,childrenandMinister arelistedasshareholdersorboardmembers Searchoflandrecords:Lookforregisteredownersofhouse

Download - Trainers Manual - A Guide to Investigative Journalism

Top Related