Investigative Journalism Manuals

The Investigative Journalism Manuals, conceptualised and produced by the Forum for African Investigative Reporters (FAIR) in partnership with the University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg, South Africa, and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, include strategies, tactics, techniques, and methodologies designed to enable journalists in various media - print, radio, television, and online - to dig deeper, unearth more truth, and expose as much injustice as possible. The manuals consist of eight downloadable PDF chapters and are designed for practical use as self-study guides that can be reviewed by chapter, depending on what kind of advice and tips one is looking for in a specific situation. The manuals may also be used by trainers, and include trainers’ notes.

Each chapter is structured around practical issues, such as how to find topics to investigate, dealing with sources, using numbers and statistics, forensic interviewing, planning, and ethics. According to the publishers, the manuals have been put together with the help of investigative journalism experts and contain real-life case studies contributed by African investigative journalists, such as Eric Mwamba, Edem Djokotoe, Joyce Mulama, and Charles Rukuni.

Each chapter starts with an outline of the learning objectives for the chapter. This is followed by information and exercises that are designed to add to readers’ knowledge and encourage thinking about an issue. A case study is introduced to explain how an African journalist in recent times has tackled a relevant story - with the journalist explaining how he or she approached the task and dealt with the problems - and to highlight lessons they learned. Then, depending on the subject matter, the chapter may offer additional tips and recommendations, some of them country-specific. A summary at the end of the chapter offers a review of what was read and references for extra reading.