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

trainers manual - a guide to investigative journalism

Documents

Synopsis of an Investigative Journalism Proposaljudicial-discipline-reform.org/docs/Investigation_proposal.pdf · Synopsis of an Investigative Journalism Proposal Where the Leads

201 Investigative Journalism Module 6 Witing

Collaborative Investigative Journalism: Iain Overton, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism

Investigative journalism course student exposes local brothel

Campaigning Journalism. Campaigning Journalism as opposed to investigative journalism Investigative journalism uncovers material that was previously secret,

New digital tools for investigative journalism aaja

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ

Investigative Business Journalism by Alec Klein

2- Nonprofit Investigative Journalism Content Analysis ...€¦ · 02/04/2017 · an investigative journalism piece might examine the process known as “bundling” campaign donations

A Guide to Investigative Journalism

INVESTIGATIVE AND INTERPRETATIVE JOURNALISM: …eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/10364/2/Investigative And Interpretative Journalism...INVESTIGATIVE AND INTERPRETATIVE JOURNALISM:

201 Investigative Journalism Module 7 Quality Control

201 Investigative Journalism Module 3 Verification

AMABHUNGANE CENTRE FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM NPC

The Future of Investigative Journalism: Global, Networked ... · The Future of Investigative Journalism: Global, Networked and Collaborative . Ellen Hume and Susan Abbott . March

Digging Deeper- Investigative Journalism in the Balkans

Chapter 4: Investigative Journalism in Bulgaria: A

201 Investigative Journalism Module 5 Organization

ANCIR - Data-Driven Investigative Journalism

Data-based Investigative Journalism

OECD, The role of media and investigative journalism in ... · Affairs and Communications Directorate. ... and the Global Investigative Journalism Network ... international media

INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM - AUT

Examples of investigative journalism

Freedom of information and investigative journalism

Reporting and Writing II Investigative Journalism II

UCB Investigative Journalism Symposium: Collaborative Media

Crowdsourcing Investigative Journalism

Center for Investigative Journalism Bosnia-Herzegovina

The Foundation for Financial Journalism - Investigative

Grant Hattam Quill Award for Investigative Journalism 2010

201 Investigative Journalism Module 4 Human Sources

20/20 | Investigative Journalism & News Magazine

Investigative Business Journalism

Investigative Journalism 2

Investigative journalism seminars: Martin Plaut Monday 1100 – 1230: Investigative radio – the best listen