How to access information for Nepali investigative stories
11 journalists were gathered in Kathmandu for three days this week to learn how to investigate stories by Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJ) – Nepal. For ten months they will work with in-depth investigative stories, hopefully to be published next summer.
Namrata Sharma and Shiva Gaunle (Chairperson and Editor in CIJ) started the training program with an introduction from each participant. All participants were introduced to the objectives of the training and presented their expectations. After the training completion they will approach their editors for ideas to discuss and produce stories.
Shiva Gaunle taught what parameters to follow to identify issues that could be investigated for story ideas. He emphasized how impactful and powerful news contents could be by collecting necessary paper documents (‘paper trail’) that could act as formidable evidence supporting a story.
The session of Rajendra Dahal (Founder and past Chair of CIJ) dealt with the news sense topic. Having vast experience in reporting on hydroelectricity projects and extensive knowledge about river resources in Nepal, he explained concepts through examples.
Mohan Mainali (Editor, South Asia Check) explained through powerpoint slideshow, the importance of observation for any stories. How to captivate readers through eloquent writing, how to observe things for a story was on the plate.
Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJ) – Nepal is a member of Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) – which is organizing a conference in Hamburg 26 – 29 September 2019