Cambodia: Opposition presses for new election
Aug. 21, 2018
Cambodian news organizations began to feel the pressure last fall as Prime Minister Hun Sen, in power for more than 30 years, began to dismantle, restrict or outlaw freedom of expression on air, in print and online in what has been described as the death-knell for democracy in Cambodia. In late July, Hun Sen won re-election by a landslide. But Monovithya Kem, daughter of the imprisoned opposition leader, says she is not giving up her opposition to Hun Sen.
Cambodian government continues to clamp down on press freedoms
July 27, 2018
On Sunday, July 29, Cambodian voters will head to the polls. Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power for more than 30 years and who has systematically dismantled the free press, is expected to win re-election by a landslide.
The pace of nonprofit media growth is picking up
July 10, 2018
Why are foundations, individual philanthropists and now states pouring more money into the media? The answer is very simple. Without credible news and information, and thus a public that’s at least somewhat informed about the uses and abuses of power, a healthy democracy is not possible.
IRE Watchdog Workshop for journalists comes to DC
April 18, 2018
Journalists looking to hone their investigative skills can learn from the pros at IRE’s Washington, D.C., Watchdog Workshop this weekend.
Mayor’s aides grumbled about DC transparency watchdog being ousted, emails show
April 6, 2018
Emails from aides to Mayor Muriel E. Bowser show frustration with District transparency head Traci L. Hughes' “cracking down” on agencies, according to a new report from The Washington Post.
The life cycle of the arming-teachers debate
March 8, 2018
Over that last eight years, interest in arming teachers with guns is the result of school shootings. News coverage and Google searches reflect these trends.
'Sunshine Week' brings freedom of information events to DC
March 7, 2018
The Society of Professional Journalists is hosting “Sunshine Week” from March 11-17 in the District.
Reporters show what’s behind the Russian investigation through their coverage
Feb. 24, 2018
National security reporters from The Washington Post and New York Times spent a year covering the ties between the president's campaign and Russia and the investigation that followed. In a recent event at the National Press Club in Washington, the two shared how they did it.
First-time George Polk Award winners recognized at National Press Club
Feb. 24, 2018
Three news outlets won George Polk Awards for Journalism for the first time. They were among this year's 17 winners. BuzzFeed, VICE News and The Intercept were among 17 winners announced last week at the National Press Club in advance of an awards luncheon in April in New York.
With open-government chief out, what’s the future of DC transparency?
Feb. 9, 2018
The future of transparency in D.C. government is murky, open records advocates say.
The power of reporters, working together
Jan. 26, 2018
Workshop Executive Editor Charles Lewis writes about worldwide collaboration in Chapter 1, excerpted here, from a new book, "Global Teamwork: The Rise of Collaboration in Investigative Journalism," edited by Richard Sambrook and published by the Reuters Institute at the University of Oxford.
How drones are changing disaster coverage
Dec. 13, 2017
As Hurricane Irma churned inland in early September, photojournalist Brian Emfinger readied his drone. After the eye passed over Naples, Florida, calming the 100-mph-plus winds and torrential rains, he lifted off.
ProPublica reporter works to uncover prison sentencing for youth in Illinois
Nov. 27, 2017
A ProPublica reporter wondered why a Southwest Illinois juvenile facility was sending teenage inmates to adult prisons. Here's the story behind the story.
Media outlets struggle to develop strategies for covering hate
Oct. 17, 2017
Most news organizations would be hard-pressed to articulate a strategy when it comes to covering hate crimes. But that’s emerging as a rising concern as the number of such crimes rises around the country because newsrooms tend to treat them as individual problems, not as systemic problems that require better follow-through and focus.
Truth and lies in the Trump era
Oct. 13, 2017
From the day he announced his candidacy for the White House to the day he was elected president, Trump has had trouble with the truth, in ways never seen before in contemporary U.S. presidential elections.
Women dominate j-schools, but newsrooms tell a different story
Sept. 18, 2017
Whether it is a schedule incompatible with family life, the lack of female leadership or the glass ceiling, women are not finding what they need in today’s American journalism, and they are leaving or being pushed out. Interviews with veteran female journalists and a few of the industry’s rising stars show shifts and differences in how women think about their career trajectory and work-life balance in today’s online world.
Young journalists excited about professional futures
July 14, 2017
IRW Executive Editor Charles Lewis urged young journalists to get excited about the profession and to hold those in power accountable this month at a two-day, international conference in Edinburgh, Scotland.The Future News Worldwide conference was created by the British Council— the United Kingdom’s international organization for culture and education — and held earlier this month at the Scottish Parliament.
From the Pentagon Papers to Trump: How the government gained the upper hand against leakers
June 15, 2017
The Pentagon Papers helped shape legal and ethical standards for journalistic truth-telling on matters of top secret government affairs in the United States. Openness, in the eyes of the public and the courts, would usually prevail over government secrecy. In this sense, the transparency that came from the papers’ release shifted power from politicians back to citizens and news organizations. But that balance of power is taking on a renewed significance today in the wake of Reality Winner’s alleged recent national security leak, prosecution of members of the press over the past few years as well as pointed anti-press and anti-leak rhetoric by the Trump administration.
Independent media in Asian democracies wrestle with internet rules
Sept. 19, 2016
Independent media in three democracies in the Asia-Pacific — Indonesia, the Philippines and South Korea — are experiencing both direct and indirect challenges online. Before the rise of social media, regulations mostly covered content published in print and broadcast, a gap that made it possible for alternative news sources to thrive online. But now governments include internet activity in their regulatory structures, so what used to be a niche for independent media has become a new battleground for freedom of expression.
Seven signs Cuban media is moving toward openness
Aug. 9, 2016
While it’s too soon to tell if a true sea change is in the works, here are seven relatively recent shifts in the Cuban mediasphere. Many of them would have seemed inconceivable just a few years ago and bear watching in the future.
The future of journalism in three words: collaboration, collaboration, collaboration
April 19, 2016
As the Panama Papers scandal continues to unfold, Workshop Executive Editor Charles Lewis looks at ICIJ, the organization he founded two decades ago, and points to collaboration as the key for future investigative journalism.
The Buying of the President
Feb. 11, 2016
Every four years, the American people endure by far the longest and most expensive election of any nation in the world — until the next one. Who profits the most?
Afghan activists live unconventional lives
Oct. 13, 2015
The murder of Farkhunda Malikzada, a religious scholar, in March was another example of how dangerous it is to be an Afghan woman who participates in political and social arenas. But despite the risks, including constant threats and violence, many women are living untraditional lives openly.
Can students save journalism?
Oct. 7, 2015
Can nonprofit organizations and universities save journalism? Are they able to publish quality news and maintain high standards while preparing the next generation? The Workshop's former scholar-in-residence from Norway spent a year studying the issue. See her initial findings about what's working as she heads to the Global Investigative Journalism Conference this week in Lillehammer.
Spiked: Fighting in-house censorship when media managers can’t handle the truth
Jan. 21, 2015
Between 1993 and 1996, four investigative producers at three network television news programs were either thwarted from their stories airing or later undermined and betrayed after publication, or both. Highly critical investigative segments about tobacco were no match for the networks' financial interests.
Plain speaking about TV news and its future
Dec. 18, 2014
Viewers nationwide mostly get local traffic, crime, weather and sports news, while local investigative reporting about the powers that be — and straight talk, facts and figures about the serious 21st century issues we all face — generally have become endangered species.
If Truth Be Told: Part 3
May 30, 2014
The proliferation of new technologies may compromise the integrity of the newsgathering business, as web-crawling machines analyze large numbers of vast datasets and human decision-making gives way to automated algorithms that spit out “investigative” reports; at the same time, however, such technological developments offer journalists the sort of possibilities that may dramatically enhance their storytelling capabilities.
If Truth Be Told: Part 2
May 29, 2014
If the long-term viability of newspapers is in doubt, there’s a practical question that needs addressing: Why should that matter to us?
If Truth Be Told: Part 1
May 28, 2014
The course of U.S. history has been altered by investigative journalists’ scrutiny and accountability of those in power, from Upton Sinclair's writings about the meat-packing industry to Woodward and Bernstein's coverage of Watergate. In an era characterized by shrinking newsrooms, however, we're left with fewer deep-dive reporters to ferret out critical information and help citizens distinguish facts from puffery. Meticulous information-gathering and editorial oversight, especially regarding international and investigative reporting, requires substantial time and money, and increasingly traditional news organizations are unable or unwilling to do it. What does that mean for the future of journalism and the future of truth-telling in America?
'935 Lies' to be released in June
April 1, 2014
Charles Lewis, executive editor of the Investigative Reporting Workshop, has written “935 Lies: The Future of Truth and the Decline of America's Moral Integrity,” which will be published in June
FOIA in D.C.: Challenging but worth it
March 28, 2014
Leading D.C. journalists and open government advocates exhange advice and lament the challenges of requesting local government documents through the Freedom of Information Act.
Pondering the future of news
Sept. 19, 2013
Quality journalism will always be important, but funding it will become increasingly complicated, said media leaders on Sept. 15 at the Newseum in Washington.
Martin Baron, executive editor of The Washington Post, said that disruptive technology and social media cannot fulfill the function of good investigative journalism. "It doesn’t hold powerful people accountable,” he said.
The art, science and mystery of nonprofit news assessment
July 10, 2013
Various models for assessing impact are continually being tinkered with, and lessons from similar efforts in other fields offer useful insight for this journalistic endeavor. And past research has pointed to specific needs and suggestions for ways to advance the effort. From all of this collective wisdom, several principles emerge as the cornerstones upon which to build a common framework for impact assessment.
Journalism in Russia: Still hampered, but improving
April 15, 2013
The difficulty of producing investigative journalism in Russia, where journalists are often threatened, is compounded by the economic hardships many publications face, according to Russian journalists who spoke last week at a conference in Washington, D.C.
After Chávez: More press freedom or status quo?
April 5, 2013
Too much press freedom or not enough? Journalists debate the control and restrictions under Hugo Chávez and whether such control will change after the special election on April 14.
Covering Washington for those outside the Beltway: a lost art?
April 5, 2013
The decline of local news is highly visible in the nation's capital, where the once-robust tradition of regional reporting — covering the federal government as it pertains to specific regions, states and communities — is now a shadow of its former self.
Murrey Marder: 'Utterly tenacious about the truth'
March 18, 2013
Charles Lewis pays tribute to the inspirational Murrey Marder, perhaps best remembered for his reporting of Sen. Joseph McCarthy's demogogic reign and also an influential voice in The Washington Post's publication of the Pentagon Papers.
Hong Kong students aspire to journalism careers despite obstacles
March 18, 2013
Journalism students from Hong Kong share experiences with journalism students in Washington and find common ground.
Workshop, American, Washington Post jointly hire investigative reporter
March 4, 2013
The Investigative Reporting Workshop, American University School of Communication and The Washington Post have announced the joint hiring of John Sullivan, an investigative reporter and editor. Sullivan led a team of Philadelphia Inquirer journalists who won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize in Public Service. Executive Editor Charles Lewis discusses how the unprecedented collaboration among an iconic daily newspaper, a major university journalism program and an award-winning nonprofit newsroom came about.
Barlett & Steele offer guidelines for the 'golden age' of research
Feb. 15, 2013
Donald Barlett and James Steele talk about how this is the "golden age of research" for reporters, and how they have stayed in touch with some of their sources for many years.
Data + Journalism = The Future
Feb. 6, 2013
Bicoastal datafest brings together all disciplines in the name of information.
A second look: The new Journalism Ecosystem
Aug. 31, 2012
The recent momentum of the nonprofit journalism phenomenon is continuing despite the difficult U.S. economy, according to an analysis by the Investigative Reporting Workshop's iLab. Most of the funding for these journalistic nonprofits comes from philanthropic foundations and individuals. Learn more through our story, searchable database and national map.
Citizen journalists work undercover in North Korea to show daily life
Feb. 1, 2012
Japanese journalists continue to work with North Korean citizen journalists to document life beyond the choreographed scenes recently displayed during the state funeral for Kim Jong Il, who died on Dec. 17 and whose son, Kim Jong Un, is now in power.
Global investigative journalists convene in Kiev
Oct. 20, 2011
Five hundred investigative journalists from 80 nations met last week in Kiev for the Global Investigative Journalism Conference. Workshop Executive Editor Charles Lewis reports on the meeting.
New books highlight nonprofit ecosystem
Oct. 13, 2011
Workshop Executive Editor Charles Lewis has contributed chapters to two new books from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism about the new nonprofit ecosystem that is emerging worldwide.
Policies on comments
Dec. 15, 2010
What we found from various news sites regarding comments policies:
Can you call someone a ‘scumbag’ online?
Dec. 15, 2010
An accountant in Queens sued Craigslist, the popular Internet bulletin board, for posting an anonymous ad that referred to him as a “crook” and a “fraudulent scumbag.”
The accountant, understandably, was not pleased. He filed suit in March claiming Craigslist should have known the posting was false and would subject him to “ridicule, disgrace and prejudice.”
Cross-pollination destinations
Nov. 23, 2010
A closer look at some of the topics and travels for Workshop Founder Charles Lewis in the last five years.
Cross-pollination carries journalism across borders
Nov. 23, 2010
International interest in the Investigative Reporting Workshop continues to grow. Recently, reporters and editors met with our staff to see whether similar nonprofit models might work in Japan and Australia.
New journalism ecosystem thrives
Oct. 29, 2010
At least 60 nonprofits now do journalism. Chuck Lewis reports on this emerging, dynamic new ecosystem.
More resources for new ecosystem
Oct. 29, 2010
You'll find sources here for more information and guidance for running a journalism nonprofit organization.
Online advertising not the cure-all
July 8, 2010
Editors say they aren't counting on online advertising to deliver the revenue that will fully support the cost of newsgathering.
Reports predict the Internet will become the second largest U.S. advertising medium by revenue (ahead of newspapers, but behind television) and that online ad sales will grow by the billions thanks to rapidly growing numbers of online consumers. But, "Signs that advertising, at least in any familiar form, would ever grow to levels sufficient to finance journalism online seemed further in doubt," noted the 2010 State of the News Media by the Pew Project for Excellence in Journalism.
Point Reyes Light strikes new path with hybrid business model
June 8, 2010
Two editors take their newspaper into a new economic model to make it viable as well as a team-player and educator within the community. They don't expect big profits, but do see the potential to influence the industry.
Will new syndication models work?
May 24, 2010
Some news organizations are looking into whether content syndication is the answer to the crumbling revenue model. Both new journalism initiatives and established media groups are coming up with creative plans to help generate alternative forms of revenue to support their content.
A new model catapults Youth Radio into new quarters
May 21, 2010
Once housed in a rented storefront in Berkeley, Calif., Youth Radio today is thriving in an expansive former bank building in downtown Oakland. The group purchased the building with the help of an interest-free loan from a private foundation.
iLab’s goal: Enlarging public space for investigative journalism
March 30, 2010
The Investigative Reporting Workshop Investigative Laboratory or “iLab” was created to conduct serious research about investigative journalism, past, present and future. Our goal is very simple: in every possible way, to enlarge the public space for this important work, holding those in power more accountable in our society.
We are exploring multiple areas of interest simultaneously.
For example, for the past few years, I have been researching and writing extensively about the remarkable emergence of nonprofit investigative and public service news organizations. When I began the Center for Public Integrity from my house in 1989, it was only the second nonprofit, investigative reporting center in the world. Today there are literally dozens of them, most of them begun in just the past five years from the diaspora of immensely talented journalists suddenly without a commercial newsroom.
Can hybrid model aid news groups?
March 29, 2010
It might just be the best solution to the problems facing journalism that no one has tried.
It’s the low-profit limited liability company, or L3C, and it merges the worlds of for-profit and non-profit, ostensibly creating a business with a conscience.
In exchange for receiving low-interest or no-interest funding from private foundations – in the form of program-related investments (PRIs) – an L3C operates as a socially responsible enterprise with profit-earnings as an after-thought.
