The Center for International Media Ethics

Balkan Conference Examines Investigative Journalism

By Rachael Small
CIME Staff

Dejan Anastasijevic, reporter for Vreme Weekly, speaks about investigative reporting in Serbia

Tatjana Etco, reporter for Ziarul de Grada (Chisinau) and her colleauges speak about investigative reporting in Moldova

  The South East Europe Media Organization (SEEMO) held its First South East and Central Europe Investigative Journalism Days May 24-26, 2010 in Becici/Budva, Montenegro. CIME's Yaroslava Sennikova (St. Petersburg, Russia) joined a network of young and seasoned journalists and other media professionals from the Balkans to discuss many facets of investigative journalism.

  Ms. Sennikova led a panel discussion on the first day of the conference on "Investigative Journalism: Dealing with Sources." Early in her presentation, she posited the question "As an investigative journalist, where do you draw the line between objective reporting and the act of accusing/denouncing when communicating the information you have uncovered?" The 2001 Enron scandal was highlighted as a case study, due to the criticism journalists received for not playing a larger role in exposing the corruption.

  The discussion then moved on to pose some ethical guidelines regarding sources, source protection, and anonymous sources. Sennikova discussed journalists' personal safety and concluded with a discussion of "the journalist's privileges as an investigator."

  This presentation, which focused on many ethical issues in investigative journalism, included a discussion of the concept of J-Ethinomics, as well as the CIME mission to encourage journalists to make proactive ethical decisions.

  Sennikova then opened the discussion to other journalists, asking them to share their personal experiences reporting in their own countries and dilemmas they have faced. Talk was lively and engaging, involving participants on a personal and professional level and highlighting shared and unique experiences.

  The event was televised by the local news because of its importance to the local media establishment, and Sennikova was interviewed about ethical issues in times of crisis at a pre-event reception.