BIRN Summer School of Investigative Reporting

Deadline: 1st of August (for school scholarships that include accommodation, food and up to €100 in travel cost)
Open to: South East European journalists with at least three years of experience in journalism
Venue: Lake Mavrovo, Macedonia, 19-25th August, 2012

For the third year of the Summer School, after enjoying Serbia’s well-deserved reputation for hospitality and Croatia’s azure coastline, we are basing our programme in the luxurious spa resort of Radika Hotel in western Macedonia.

Learn from world experts:

This year’s Summer School of Investigative Reporting will, as before, host some of the world’s highest rated journalists and trainers. Based on our two years of experience in this field, our formula for a successful week’s training will include combining lecture sessions with case studies, film screenings, panel debates and round tables.
The programme is a five-day course in investigative journalism with basic and advanced techniques designed to help media professionals improve their daily journalistic work in high-pressure newsrooms.

Corruption is the focus for this year, and we aim to empower our participants’ skills concerning use of paper trails and human sources, following the money, using the web for research at higher proficiency level and much more. Film screenings, case studies and panel debates on corruption, censorship and self-censorship in the Balkans will shed more light on this all-important issue.

Award for the best story idea:

From day one, participants will work and collaborate actively in groups to pitch an investigative story idea. The Investigative Initiative Fund will sponsor the best proposal, giving the winners an opportunity to research and develop their idea into a complete story.

Venue:

We have placed our Summer School in a land of interesting history, famous for its hospitality and fine cuisine. The comfortable lakeside hotel with its open-air swimming pool and spa resort, enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, will make an excellent base for rest and relaxation after a hard day’s work.
Whether you are a mid-career professional, an advanced student or a media expert, BIRN’s Summer School is a perfect opportunity to recharge your batteries while at the same time having a productive summer, picking up valuable new ideas, tips and tricks of the investigative journalist trade.

Who should attend?

Mid-career journalists, young journalists interested in finding out more about investigative reporting techniques. Editors interested in encouraging investigative reporting in their media outlets. Representatives of higher education establishments interested in incorporating investigative journalism into their curriculum. International correspondents from the Balkans or elsewhere, interested in finding out about the challenges faced by their regional colleagues. Representatives of organizations involved in the fight against organized crime and corruption.

Scholarships

A limited number of full scholarships will be available to exceptional candidates. These will be awarded on a merit and need basis and may additionally cover up to €100 in travel cost.
Eligibility criteria for Scholarships : South East European journalists, At least three years of experience in journalism ,Applicants must supply a sample of their published work translated into English

Application Deadline

Applications for scholarships must be received by 1st August 2012. No application for an assisted place will be considered after this deadline. Selected participants will be announced on August 2nd.

The application form is available HERE

One thought on “BIRN Summer School of Investigative Reporting

  1. Students often join in September, at the beginning of a scohol year. Does this mean that their membership is only good until end of December then?thank you,Susan Knight, University of Arizona School of Journalism, associate professor/clubs coordinator

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