Employees of the leading media of Kyrgyzstan held a three-day training on investigative journalism.
Oleg Khomenok, an experienced investigative journalist from Ukraine, conducted the training and told about the basic nuances of this genre. Reporters learned about the methods and approaches necessary during investigations and tried to apply the knowledge during modeling exercises.
Khomenok showed the best practices of foreign media in the field of investigations, including some samples of work of Ukrainian journalists.
Journalists of KTRK, Radio Azattyk, NTS, Yntymak, ElTR, “New Faces», Kloop.kg and other media participated in the training. Reporters had different experiences – those who had already had experience in investigative journalism received advice on specific particular nuances, with which journalists had faced during their work. Journalists who would like to try hand in this genre have received all the necessary information and established contacts with more experienced colleagues.
Moderator of portal Kloop.kg Anna Kapushenko noted the practical orientation of the training and the realistic examples from post-Soviet countries.
“I liked this training very much, especially the way how the information was given: gradually and in a structured manner. The trainer has high-level skills, he knows how to keep the attention of the audience and explain the main points, on which the participants raised questions, – Kapushenko said. – He can competently build discussion, thanks to which the training was conducted efficiently, and all participants can master the information that the trainer gives.
The Bureau for Investigative Journalism of the IWPR gives an opportunity to all interested employees of media to practice investigations and provides editorial, legal and financial support. So at the end of the training, the majority of journalists discussed their ideas with the trainer and developed a hypothesis and work plan, and will apply this knowledge directly into practice. These materials will published in the local media or at the website of IWPR.
The training was attended also by representatives of public organizations, which can become partners and sources, assistants of journalists during investigations into their profile subjects.
“This training is very relevant and useful, as investigative journalism is only beginning to develop in Kyrgyzstan. This genre needs to be developed, we do not have enough professional journalists, who could be engaged in investigative journalism on a permanent basis”, said Kamil Ruziyev, head of human rights organization” Ventus” in Karakol.
In the future, the Bureau plans to conduct other training courses for its current and new partners.
Activities of the Bureau for Investigative Journalism of the IWPR are carried out on the basis of the financial support on the part of the EU Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic.