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Headerbanner Investigative Journalism and Media Development

In focus

Investigative Journalism

Investigative reporting is a crucial part of free media systems and an important driver for transparency and accountability. DW Akademie supports independent media and the human right to freedom of expression across the globe. Find out more about our activities in the field of investigative journalism.

Illustration Dossier Investigative Journalism

Viability of investigative journalism

After the Scoop – how investigative journalism affects media

The publication showcases nine media outlets from across the globe spearheading investigative reporting. They prove investigative journalism can mean business, even under the most difficult circumstances.
DW Akademie | Investigative Journalism How to fund IJ MockUp

How to fund investigative journalism

Insights from the field and its key donors.
Panama Papers Mossack Fonseca Webseite

anti-corruption

Investing in investigation

In the fight against corruption, free media is crucial. It exposes malpractice and enables citizens to demand change. Despite the decline of global press freedom, the media’s power to curb corruption can be harnessed.
A protester holds up fake money during an anti-corruption march in Lima, Peru, in December 2017

viability of investigative journalism

Raking muck and raising funds

Today, investigative media face a double challenge: They need to maintain independence while securing financial sustainability. In a new research paper, DW Akademie's authors propose a model to identify areas of action.
  • portrait of Chay Hofileña

    Why do you believe in investigative journalism?

    Chay Hofileña, editor, Rappler

    "Through investigative journalism, reporters fulfill their responsibility to hold to account the powerful, abusive, neglectful, and incompetent in government. In a democracy, exposing the wrongdoing that others want to hide is critical to ensure that citizens get the government they deserve or that change happens for the better. Those who do wrong must not shamelessly get away."

  • portrait of Anton Septian

    Why do you believe in investigative journalism?

    Anton Septian, journalist, Tempo, Indonesia

    "In the post-truth era where hoax and disinformation spread massively, investigative journalism is an effort against the lies out there. It is also a way to restore public trust in the media and to restore the media's role as a clearinghouse of information."

  • Dragana Peco in front of a poster showing the URL krik.rs

    Why do you believe in investigative journalism?

    Dragana Peco, journalist, KRIK, Serbia

    "I believe in investigative journalism. It gives us power, strength and unity to reveal the truth. Investigative journalism is our mission that changes the world and the best job we could do in our life."

  • Rodney Sieh holding a microphone

    Why do you believe in investigative journalism?

    Rodney Sieh, founder and editor of FrontPageAfrica, Liberia

    "Investigative journalism is the heart and soul of my body of work. It is what drives our newspaper, FrontPageAfrica, to expose the ills in post-war Liberia. We delve deep into issues that few dare to venture in, hoping to not just curb graft and bad governance but also to speak truth to power. It is the only fountain from which a nation’s conscience can be awakened for the common good."

  • portrait of Enrique Naveda

    Why do you believe in investigative journalism?

    Enrique Naveda, co-founder and coordinator, Plaza Pública, Guatemala

    "Investigative journalism is a fantastic tool to understand and expose the ever-changing limits and restrictions that the powerful impose on society, and, in our case, how they abuse democracy itself by inducing state capture - while wielding the banner of rule of law and economic development."

  • portrait of Lina Attalah

    Why do you believe in investigative journalism?

    Lina Attalah, co-founder and editor, Mada Masr, Egypt

    "The different modalities of investigation in journalism allow for a rigor in assembling information, dissecting it and making sense of it. Investigative journalism exposes us to a wide range of powerful narratives and the facts behind them. Not only is this a key practice for our craft as journalists, but it is also an important form of information sharing with our public."

  • Tamas Bodoky (Diego Figone/ijif19)

    Why do you believe in investigative journalism?

    Tamas Bodoky, co-founder and editor, Atlatszo.hu, Hungary

    "I believe investigative journalism is an important way to hold the powerful accountable and give more power to the people over politicians and business elites. It is even more important in autocratic countries or captured states, where the ruling parties have weakened or destroyed the official system of checks and balances, to limit political power."

  • Natalia Viana in front of Agencia Publica's premises

    Why do you believe in investigative journalism?

    Natalia Viana, co-editor of Agencia Publica, Brazil

    "Investigative journalism is essential because it is the only way citizens can be sure that governments will be kept in check. It is an essential tool to keep democracies strong and citizens well informed. The attacks on investigative journalists show that, in an era where governments are growing less democratic, the only thing they fear is citizens' awareness of their crimes."


in a shop in Bosten, a man reads an 2018 issue of The Boston Globe newspaper with headline Chruch covered up sex abuse, jury says

Funding of investigative journalism

Ten key principles for funders

Ten points on what to bear in mind when funding new projects based on advice from key actors.
Symbolbild Pressefreiheit in Ruanda - Zeitung

Funding of investigative journalism

Why might funding investigative journalism be relevant for a donor?

A ten-point primer on trends and opportunities in the investigative field.
Mural showing a crying boy in a Brazilian jersey and a football resembling a skull next to the words thank you Fifa

investigative journalism

With a little help from my audience

Investigative journalism around the world is struggling to survive. But in Latin America, some upstart investigative websites are staying viable by keeping their audiences engaged and getting them involved.