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“Investigative Journalism in Europe”
Summary of the Workshops

Workshop I
Basics of Investigative Research – Types of research, strategies, Resources, Online-Research

Workshop trainer:
Marcus Lindemann, autoren(werk), Berlin

The introductory workshop was held by Marcus Lindemann (born 1966) of autoren(werk) and Netzwerk Recherche. Lindemann, who has been working in journalism since he was 17 years old, shared his extensive knowledge on research methods highlighting the specifics of investigative research.

According to his motto “teaching investigative research is to define rules for it”, he tried to make the topic more tangible by outlining the basics of investigative research, pointing out the differences to every-day research and how to make the best use of internet resources.

In the workshop the young journalists learned that the above mentioned rules for investigative research can be defined as a good idea, a thorough investigation and a clever use of resources followed by lots of fact-checking. Also important is getting one‘s name out there: „Because sometimes opportunities do come knocking at your door; in the form of whistleblowers. But they need to know your name, or work in order to trust you“.

Lindemann pointed out that in the quest for a good story luck is sometimes part of the equation and “not only experience, as some accomplished investigative reporters might like to have you think”. Furthermore, he gave the young journalists valuable hints of how to conduct research under slightly more difficult circumstances by using examples he had encountered himself in the past.

One participant summed up: “As I have never conducted my own investigative research before, the question of how to start is a big obstacle. Therefore I was able to pick up some useful advice from the workshop.”

Workshop II
Classified Information Doping – Investigative Journalism and Sports

Workshop trainer: Hajo Seppelt, Berlin

After a quick introduction, Hajo Seppelt (born 1963) visualised the topic of his workshop “Investigative journalism and sports” by showing his 45-minute-documentary “Olympia im Reich der Mittel: Doping in China“ [“Olympia in Substance Kingdom: Doping in China”] he produced in 2008. According to Jeton Mehmeti from Kosovo, “it was quite an amazing story but the making-off was even more impressive”. In this sense, Seppelt introduced the participants to the thrilling aspects of investigative research. Starting one of his stories with the sentence, “I was asked to be on a corner somewhere in Shanghai at seven o’clock at night” and many other interesting real life examples made sure that he captured all the young journalist’s attention.

However exciting his accounts were, he did not try to gloss over the more mundane and tedious aspects of his work. His estimates for investigative research in sports coverage ranges at less than one per cent in comparison to usual sports coverage. He sees the reasons in the fact that not everyone agrees with what he does: “People see sports as entertainment and a way out of their everyday-life; they don’t like to have their dreams destroyed.” But it is not only resistance from viewers, trainers and athletes he faces. Also, surprisingly often he had to face confrontation with politicians, sports doctors and even colleagues. Yet all these obstacles and the disinterest of sports he developed according to his own account, he still would not want to miss his job. His enthusiasm was contagious, as the verdict of 25-year-old Falk from Germany reflects : “I found Hajo Seppelt’s work very inspiring. Sports is actually not my field of interest. The more surprised I was in the end how interesting it was!”

Workshop III
The “Siemens”-Files – Investigative Business Journalism at „Der Spiegel“

Workshop trainer:
Jörg Schmitt, Der Spiegel, Hamburg

Jörg Schmitt (born 1967) started the day providing an insight in the day-to-day operations in a big and renowned investigative magazine like Der Spiegel. He gave a first-hand account to the participants that it can sometimes be difficult, yet not impossible to be able to conduct investigative reporting and being provided with all the resources they need. The example of his own career was a great motivation for the participants in terms of being a reminder of what they can strive for.

Maria Spirova, 26, from Bulgaria pointed out: “ Der Spiegel seems to be a whole different world to what we're used to in our own media markets.”

He admits, he was a little lucky, being able to call the deputy editor-in-chief of “Hamburger Abendblatt”, Karl-Günther Barth, his mentor, but also recalled the hard work and long hours that went into his first investigative article: “we saw each other more often than our partners at the time”. Adelina Nicolescu, 18, from Romania wanted to know whether he received serious threats considering he specialises in writing about corruption. “Of course I’ve received threats, even at home” said Schmitt. Yet he takes it with a pinch of salt: “My wife is a journalist as well and understands a lot. That makes it easier.”

But Schmitt also gave the young journalists food for thought by stressing that magazines like Spiegel need more young journalists but that they need to be dedicated as well. “For young people it is generally easier to write first-hand accounts, or their impressions of something rather than following a lead and not knowing where they will end up. So just stick with it!”

Workshop IV
Research into political Institutions and the Importance of the Protection of Sources

Workshop trainer: Hans-Martin Tillack, Stern, Berlin

Research in political institutions is on one hand easy as journalists can exploit the countless lines of conflict. On the other, research in political institutions is difficult because journalists start fights with powerful opponents. On top of that, they have to protect their informants. Often against severe efforts by politicians to trace and eliminate sources.

Hans-Martin Tillack’s story can arguably be seen as the model-example of the breach of press freedom within apparently picture-perfect, democratic structures. In an attempt to expose irregularities within the EU, he became himself the subject of an investigation conducted by the EU Anti-Fraud Unit (OLAF) that culminated in his office being raided and documents being confiscated. Yet the European authorities did not manage to find anything. „Because I was being careful“, he stressed and reminded the participants that „as a journalist you are obliged to do everything you can to protect your sources.“ In times of social networking it means - for journalists more than anyone - taking care who personal information is shared with or how it is stored. In this context he warned especially of the use of facebook.

In his workshop Hans-Martin Tillack also focused on certain ethical obstacles that investigative reporters could face. “You will have to be prepared to speak to people who might have done something wrong themselves.“ And made clear that certain rules of conduct don’t apply being an investigative journalist. “You have to overcome your natural friendliness and don’t be afraid to make enemies“ Tillack said and summarised, “for investigative journalists it should be more important to discover things rather than maintaining friendships”

26-year old Maria Spirova from Bulgaria found Tillack's expose to be “extremely useful - he touched upon the "dark side" of investigative journalism, admitting it's a profession that will expose us to many disappointments. But most importantly, he stressed that investigative journalism was about doubting the institutions and practices no one thinks to doubt.“

However, despite all the negative experiences he encountered, Hans-Martin Tillack concluded by recalling that one of the most fulfilling aspects of working in Brussels was “the co-operation with colleagues from other countries“- Just like the young journalists were experiencing it in Potsdam and will one day somewhere else; perhaps even in Brussels.