Since spring 2003 the Danish Association for Investigative Journalism (FUJ � Foreningen for Unders�gende Journalistik) has managed a programme in Central and Eastern Europe with the double purpose of 1) creating a support structure for investigative reporters and editors and 2) build a regional network of journalists, editors and associations.
It�s funded by the Danish Government as a part of the Danish Neighbourhood-programme, which is Denmark�s bilateral programme towards the countries bordering the enlarged EU.
The Neighbourhood Programme�s objective is to contribute to promoting open democratic societies founded on the rule of law and based on stable political and economic development in the EU�s neighbouring.
How do we work?
We offer a handfull of practical support:
We will pay for a freelancer when a staff reporter has to work with an investigation for two-three monts
We will pay for travelling around, hotels
We will pay for access to national and international databases, which are not free of charge
We will pay for translation of articles � this is extremely important working with transnational investigations
We will also cover assistance from outside.
We will pay for legal screening of every piece before publication
We will pay for legal support when somebody should take legal action against a journalist or investigation supported by us.
We help with publishing the stories in other countries.
We have experienced journalists helping every investigation as consultants
Working principles
Reporters getting support from us are not in other businesses like having a private compay producing or trading.
Every article will be screened by a trained lawyer before publication.
Every article will state the the investigation is carried out with funding from FUJ � meaning people outside your town or country are following this.
We have established contacts with both national and international NGO�s active in the region
We have advisory committees with good contacts to the national or regional media community
PHOTOS FROM THE FIRST SCOOP SERBIA SEMINAR (19 March 2005,
hotel Intercontinental, Belgrade)
The investigation will reveal new, important information of obvious public interest.
The investigation will involve cooperation with investigative journalists from other countries
The investigation is based on firm publishing agreements with at least one and preferably several mass media.
The investigative journalist(s) already have access to key information (relevant sources, case-stories, documents) and access to additional information is realistic.
The investigation will not produce unacceptable risks to the journalists / media involved.
The journalist(s) involved will work according to professional journalistic and ethical standards.
Key results of the investigation will be published within a reasonably short timeframe.
The journalists / editors involved in the investigation will subject their material to legal advisors before publishing to avoid unnecessary conflict with the law.
The budget for the investigation corresponds with the overall parameters of the FUJ support project