Catalina Botero (Colombia)
Catalina Botero, Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression at the OAS (2007-2014), argues that without investigative journalism, corruption and human rights cases would be left in the dark.
Interviews
Here are interviews with leading investigative journalists, free expression advocates, and one Nobel laureate -- from 20 countries in all -- talking about the importance of investigative journalism. Many of these people work on the front lines of battles against corruption and for public accountability, in places like Mexico, Myanmar, Pakistan, South Africa, Turkey, and Ukraine. They offer compelling testimony for the critical role that investigative journalism plays in helping ensure just, open and free societies. Most of these interviews were recorded in October 2014, at the 8th Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Mzilikazi wa Afrika (South Africa)
Mzilikazi wa Afrika, investigative journalist at the Sunday Times, talks about the intimidation, kidnapping, and threats he suffered in 2010, after exposing police wrongdoing.
Marcela Turati (Mexico)
Marcela Turati, investigative journalist at Proceso magazine, talks about what drives her to do in-depth reporting, and the importance of having a watchdog press in Mexico.
Roman Shleynov (Russia)
Roman Shleynov, investigative reporter at Vedemosti Business Daily, talks about investigative journalism in Russia today, and details a cross-border investigation into gas giant Gazprom.
Nedim Sener (Turkey)
Nedim Sener, investigative journalist from Turkey, talks about the government persecution he’s facing in his country and why the people right to know should be protected.
Giannina Segnini (Costa Rica)
Giannina Segnini, investigative reporter from Costa Rica, describes how her team investigations put two former president under the magnifying glass and why democracy should not be taken for granted.
Haluk Sahin (Turkey)
Haluk Sahin, professor at Istanbul Bilgi University, speaks about why investigative journalism is more important than ever and the specific dangers faced by reporters in Turkey.
Rana Sabbagh (Jordan)
Rana Sabbagh, executive director of the Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism, talks about the challenges of training investigative reporters in the Middle East.
Paul Radu (Romania)
Paul Radu, director of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, believes that investigative journalists not only expose wrong-doing but actually prevent crimes from happening.
Miranda Patrucic (Bosnia)
Miranda Patrucic of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, discusses the impact of investigative reporting on Eastern Europe and how to improve training for future reporters.
Syed Nazakat (India)
Syed Nazakat, founder of the Centre for Investigative Journalism, India, provides examples of compelling stories in the region and makes the case for better support and resources.
Aung Ye Muang Muang (Myanmar)
Aung Ye Muang Muang, former executive editor of Myanmar Freedom Daily, says security is the top challenge facing investigative journalists in Myanmar and that protection needs to be improved.
Marcelo Moreira (Brazil)
Marcelo Moreira, former president of the Brazilian Association of Investigative Journalism, explains why it’s necessary to invest in technology, resources, and legal protection of journalists.
Kassim Mohamed (Kenya)
Kassim Mohamed, investigative reporter for Kenya Television Network, believes that investigative journalism is the most important factor to combat and expose corruption behind closed doors.
Vlad Lavrov (Ukraine)
Vlad Lavrov of the Kyiv Post talks about the challenges of being an investigative reporter in Ukraine and details his work on an ICIJ investigation into the human tissue trade.
Oleg Khomenok (Ukraine)
Oleg Khomenok, senior media advisor for Internews Network and SCOOP, explains why investigative journalism training is vital in former Soviet countries and the challenges reporters there face.
Gustavo Gorriti (Peru)
Gustavo Gorriti, director of the nonprofit IDL-Reporteros, talks about the importance of investigating corporate corruption in Latin America and the pressures of the advertising industry.
Umar Cheema (Pakistan)
Umar Cheema, investigative reporter in Pakistan, speaks about the personal risks he has faced and his investigation that revealed that 70 percent of federal lawmakers failed to file tax returns.
Mar Cabra (Spain)
Mar Cabra, of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, talks about the challenges of working across borders and in countries that lack transparency, as in her native Spain.
David Leigh (UK)
David Leigh, investigative editor at The Guardian (2000-2013), explains why investigative journalism is essential to democracy and details a multi-year investigation into defense firm BAE.
Sheila Coronel (Philippines)
Sheila Coronel, academic affairs dean at the Columbia School of Journalism and Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism co-founder, talks about the importance of a watchdog press.
Joseph Stiglitz (US)
Joseph E. Stiglitz, Nobel laureate in economics, speaks about why the accountability function of investigative journalism is essential and explains why it needs private support.
Khadija Ismayilova (Azerbaijan)
Khadija Ismayilova, of the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, highlights how in a country like Azerbaijan, investigative journalists are taking the lead in uncovering corruption.