Category: News and Events

by Vuk Tesija

Morrison was joined by Gordana Andric, Executive Editor, BIRN Serbia, and Sasa Dragojlo, BIRN Serbia Correspondent, to help 30 participants turn their story ideas into solid pitches.

In the next session, Ana Petruseva, Director, BIRN Macedonia, held a workshop on ‘Developing Complex Databases with Thousands of Documents’, which gave participants new insights into handling large amounts of data.

“When we encounter a huge amount of data, we always find ourselves in a phase where we say ‘this can’t be done!’, but that usually means we have a new challenge that we want to overcome,” Petruseva told participants. “Methodology is key. If you have any inconsistencies, then you are in trouble.”

She explained this using real world examples of data such as foreign investment, state subsidies and media ownership. She presented data on BIRN’s research into the land owned by religious communities – the Macedonian Orthodox Church and the Islamic Community – in North Macedonia.

Kreshnik Gashi, Managing Editor at Kallxo.com at BIRN Kosovo explained to participants in the next session how to and reduce legal risks in reporting. During his presentation,  ‘Reporting Safely: Legal Considerations, Case Illustrations, and SLAPP Insights’,  Gashi shared his experiences of protecting himself from SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) lawsuits, state pressure, corporate influence, and other challenges that can put journalists in legal jeopardy.

“Journalists are being arrested, sued, and threatened with lawsuits. Although we live in democratic societies, officials and people of influence and power can still pose a threat and attempt to intimidate us,” explained Gashi.

He added that the goal of a SLAPP is not to win in court, but to drain the resources, time, and money of journalists and newsrooms.

Gashi also reminded colleagues that they must respect the ethical principles of journalism and comply with privacy rules. “Use your knowledge of the law to protect yourself,” he advised.

Next up, Denis Dzidic, BIRN Bosnia and Herzegovina Director, shared his experiences during a session called ‘Reporting in Times of Crisis – War Crimes Reporting’.

Participants ended the day with a visit to the BIRN Museum Reporting House and participated in a panel discussion, ‘Investigative Journalism: Two Decades of Change, moderated by Denis Dzidic and attended by BIRN founders Petruseva, Jeta Xharra, BIRN Kosovo Director, and Dragana Solomon.

This was followed by the Certificate Awarding Ceremony in the Reporting House yard, during which journalists socialised and exchanged experiences in an informal setting.

by Vuk Tesija

She revealed the secrets of fact-checking to 30 participants at the school, held in Pristina, Kosovo.

“The fact-checker is not your enemy, but your friend,” said Milica. It is a process, she said, that is crucial for credibility. Mistakes can lead to journalists being liable to legal action, as well as embarrassment.

“In the process, there will be issues and debate. Sometimes you will spend three hours choosing the right word,” Milica explained. She provided several examples so participants could try their hand at fact-checking other people’s texts. This gave them an insight into how responsible and complex the job of a fact-checker is.

The session continued with Alexenia Dimitrova, journalist, OSINT expert, and lecturer in journalism. She delivered a lecture entitled ‘Hidden Places to Investigate Your Country’, demonstrating how open sources of information can provide access to valuable data.

Alexenia shared dozens of useful sources that journalists can rely on when governments in certain countries deny them the information to which they are entitled. “A lot of data is available if you know where to look,” Alexenia emphasised.

Azem Kurtic, a Balkan Insight journalist from the BIRN Hub, discussed a recent investigation which involved him hunting down a location. “By analysing photographs, geolocations, and visual clues, a great deal can be uncovered,” said Kurtic, who shared his combination of computer skills, creativity, and expertise. Through his eyes, participants were able to see the entire process he went through in search of evidence.

Blake Morrison, Lead Trainer and Investigative Projects Editor at Reuters News, continued the session with a gripping story from his career, illustrating how crucial timing is in telling a story.

He emphasised, from his own experience, that there is no such thing as unimportant information or failed stories, since everything a journalist does may one day prove to be of vital importance. The participants, clearly impressed, had the opportunity to hear first-hand insights on how to become better journalists. 

by Vuk Tesija

Summing up the previous day, lead trainer Blake Morrison told everyone: “We are the family of journalists. If you do something good, it makes us all look good.”

Soma showed participants how to transcribe their interviews quickly and efficiently with the help of AI, saving significant time. The participants were impressed by the speed and accuracy with which voice was converted into text, without the need for additional effort.

He also revealed numerous other techniques that will make their work easier in the future, demonstrating practical solutions to overcome technical difficulties.

The participants adopted new skills such as searching huge databases and finding answers that previously required days of preparation and reading, now achievable in just a few seconds.

The session continued with Sharbil Nammour, Media Safety Advisor and Founder of Vallaris Solutions.

“I’m interested in your safety. Of course, you have to do the job, but you must also take care of yourself,” Nammour warned the journalists, stressing that in risky situations they need to pay close attention to time and distance – two factors they must proactively control.

Using examples such as protest footage and reports from high-risk areas, Nammour vividly illustrated poor practices in reporting. “Be careful that the journalist does not become the story,” he cautioned, while outlining the best ways to prevent such situations.

The packed lecture schedule continued with Kreshnik Gashi, Managing Editor of Kallxo.com, based in BIRN Kosovo, and Sasa Dragojlo, an investigative journalist at Balkan Insight at BIRN’s hub, who presented their award-winning investigative stories on organised crime groups.

Gashi and Dragojlo discussed the links between crime and politics, as well as the importance of cultivating reliable sources of information.

“Thanks to our story, around 30 corrupt police officers were arrested,” said Gashi, who investigated money laundering schemes originating in Kosovo and ending up as investments in Montenegro. “You have to have your informants, but you have to constantly think about their well-being because they can pay a terrible price,” said Gashi.

Dragojlo presented a series of stories he has been writing for the past four years about migrant smuggling and the Balkan migrant route. “You can’t have armed foreign nationals in border areas without the police knowing, that’s what caught my attention,” Dragojlo said. Advising the participants, he told them: “Be patient, working slowly, and horizontally, will get you vertically.”

In the afternoon, participants visited the Kallxo Studio in Pristina, where they attended a lecture by Jeta Xharra, Director of BIRN Kosovo, entitled ‘From Exposure to Impact: Why Some Investigations Spark Change and Others Don’t’.

The long third day concluded with Emma Thomasson, journalist and media consultant, who highlighted the importance of mental health for journalists.

She spoke about stress, burnout, and other mental health risks, as well as strategies for improving team communication and managing conflict.

by BIRN

The second day of BIRN’s Summer School of Investigative Reporting in Pristina, Kosovo, continued with a masterclass in open-source intelligence (OSINT) with Reuter’s visual investigations reporter, Reade Levinson.

Levinson shared tips and tricks on how to use free satellite imagery providers and their different tools in order to find and verify publicly available information online, and how to track ships and planes.

Using examples from the stories produced by Levinson and Reuters, participants immediately put their newly harvested skills to the test. “My steps may not be the same as yours, so please share it with us, as this is the space to also learn from each other,” Levinson told participants.

The day continued with Jonathan Soma, professor in data journalism at Columbia University Journalism School. With Soma, journalists gained elements of analysis using data tool Pandas and coding with the help of AI.

“One of the things that people joke about data journalists is that you spend six months finding data, then a month or two analysing it, which ends up as one paragraph in the article,” Soma said.

“But this does not mean that data journalism is not important or fun to do,” he added.

Sharbil Nammour, media safety adviser and founder of Vallaris Solutions, a consultancy company specialised in working with media in risk assessment and safety planning, shared tips on how to stay safe online and protect your privacy.

“On a societal scale, digital security is press freedom in practice. On a personal scale, digital security isn’t about paranoia, it’s about habits. Own your safety,” Nammour said.

By Vuk Tesija

The week-long summer school brings together around 30 participants from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine, Georgia, Romania, Bulgaria and Poland. Over the course of the programme, they will learn how to distinguish suspicions from facts and set high standards for investigative reporting.

Jeta Xharra, Director of BIRN Kosovo, welcomed the participants and stressed that BIRN has for the past 15 years been inviting world class lecturers and journalists to share their expertise with participants.

Gentiana Murati, Deputy Director of BIRN HUB, shared her experiences about last year’s summer school and said the programme is one of the best ways available to learn the trade of journalism.

Lead trainer Blake Morrison, investigative projects editor with Reuters in New York, reminded the participants of their shared professional duty. “You represent me, but I also represent all of you. Journalists have a responsibility to each other,” Morrison said, emphasising the importance of ethics in the profession.

During the introductory presentation, Morrison presented a case study of a journalist who reported untruthfully, explaining the consequences for the profession as a whole and those who become the victims of fabricated stories.

Reade Levinson from the Reuters in London continued his masterclass in open-source intelligence (OSINT), teaching participants how to use free sources, from tracking ships and planes to geolocation. She instructed the participants in the secrets of reverse image searches and searches of business databases.

Alexenia Dimitrova, a journalist and OSINT expert, delivered a lecture titled ‘Cross-Border Sources for Your Climate Investigation’, in which she revealed the secrets of investigating climate change in the digital age.

The first day ended with a lecture by Morrison, titled ‘Formulating Story Ideas: How to Structure Your Pitch’, showing participants how to develop a story pitch from a good idea.

The participants, made up of everyone from experienced journalists to beginners, expressed their satisfaction with the first day. Some said they would save a lot of time in future research because they had learned many new tricks.

By Vuk Tesija

This August, Pristina becomes the epicentre of investigative journalism as the 15th BIRN Summer School of Investigative Reporting takes place between August 25 to 30, 2025.

Over the course of six days, 30 journalists will dive deep into the art of investigative reporting, guided by some of the most acclaimed editors and award-winning journalists.

Whether you’re chasing your next big story or aiming to take your reporting to the next level, this is where promising investigative journalists connect with leading professionals in the field. 

Pristina awaits. Are you ready to learn more about investigative journalism?

Journalists will sharpen their investigative skills under the guidance of award-winning editors, data experts, and seasoned reporters. The lead trainer for the week is Blake Morrison, Investigative Projects Editor at Reuters in New York, whose Pulitzer-nominated stories have driven policy changes and criminal convictions. From shaping story ideas to structuring impactful narratives, Blake will work closely with participants throughout the programme.

Investigative techniques using data will be a strong component of the curriculum. Jonathan Soma, Professor of Data Journalism at Columbia University and director of its Data Journalism and Lede Programs, will teach advanced methods for analysing and visualising data, and explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the way we investigate complex stories.

Participants will also look at how to access and investigate public records, particularly in the areas of environmental and climate reporting. Alexenia Dimitrova, an ICIJ member, Pulitzer-winning journalist, and author of five acclaimed books, will share her open-source intelligence (OSINT) expertise and demonstrate how public documents and datasets can be turned into compelling investigations.

Further developing OSINT skills, Reade Levinson of Reuters will lead practical exercises in geolocation and satellite image analysis, helping participants verify information and uncover wrongdoing with digital tools used in leading international newsrooms.

Pristina, a city full of energy, culture, and contrasts, offers the perfect setting to strike that vital balance between intense investigative work and self-care. From lively cafés and historic streets to vibrant debates in the classroom, the city invites you to both dig deep and breathe out.

Recognising that powerful journalism depends on journalists’ well-being, the Summer School will also include sessions on mental health, resilience, and communication. In partnership with The Self-Investigation foundation, Emma Thomasson, a journalist and certified coach, will lead training on managing conflict, stress, and burnout — equipping participants with strategies to sustain their careers in a high-pressure profession.

Set in the heart of Kosovo, the Summer School offers not only high-calibre training but also a meaningful connection to the region’s post-conflict context. Leading the local dimension of the programme is Jeta Xharra, Director of BIRN Kosovo and one of the region’s most prominent investigative journalists. Drawing on her work in transitional justice and her role as anchor of Life in Kosovo, Jeta will guide participants through the ethical and practical challenges of uncovering hidden truths in transitional societies. Participants will also visit The Reporting House and Kallxo.com, gaining first-hand insight into one of Southeast Europe’s most active anti-corruption platforms.

Beyond the workshops and lectures, BIRN will also provide dedicated space for networking, collaboration, and community building, because some of the best stories start with a shared coffee or a cross-border connection made in moments between the hard work.

In Pristina, you won’t just grow as a journalist — you’ll connect with a community that shares your passion!

As every year, BIRN is providing 30 full scholarships for selected participants. Journalists from the following countries are eligible to apply: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Turkey, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. This will cover a full stipend for participation in the programme, accommodation, meals, as well as transportation expenses of up to €200.

In addition to training, editorial support, and mentorship, BIRN will offer selected participants funding through our Investigative Initiative Story Fund to support the development and production of their investigative stories.

Participants are expected to arrive at the School with an initial idea for an investigative story, which they will develop further during the week in Pristina.

Throughout the sessions, participants will receive mentoring and guidance to refine their story proposals. By the end of the week, each participant or cross-border team will pitch their investigative story idea to a jury composed of BIRN editors and trainers. The best pitches will be awarded with editorial guidance, financial support, and publication opportunities to carry out the investigation in the months following the BIRN Summer School.

Limited spots are also available for international participants who want to take part in the training and cover their own costs. They need to cover an all-inclusive fee of €1,500, covering full board at the Mercure Hotel in Pristina, where the BIRN Summer School is taking place. No extra charges are requested for tuition.

The 14th annual BIRN Summer School of Investigative Reporting closed on August 24 with participants from Central and Southeastern Europe, Ukraine, Georgia and Uzbekistan pitching investigative story ideas to BIRN editors.

A total of 19 pitches were submitted, focussing mainly on cross-border issues. BIRN editors will select the best for funding, editorial support and mentoring.

Blake Morrison, the Summer School’s lead trainer and investigative projects editor with Reuters in New York, said it was “exciting to hear the ideas and to see the collaboration of journalists from different newsrooms in different countries”.

“They’ve worked hard all week to develop powerful proposals for investigations, and I expect some great journalism as a result,” he said.

The topics included environmental neglect, organised crime and corruption and reproductive rights.

On Friday, the final day of training, participants heard from BIRN Albania editor-in-chief Besar Likmeta about ways of covering environmental issues, while BIRN investigations editor Apostolis Fotiadis talked about how to secure the best possible impact.

Over the week-long course in Mlini, on the Croatian coast, some 35 participating journalists heard from 15 trainers on a range of issues relevant to investigative journalism, from digital security to artificial intelligence, visual storytelling to covering war crimes, as well as how to best protect their mental health while on the job.

BIRN’s regional director, Milka Domanovic, thanked all the participants for their hard work and expressed her hope that they will continue collaborating “even after the school ends”.

“The Summer School is not only about polishing and learning new skills, but it is also about establishing long-lasting professional connections.”

More information about the lectures and panels can be found here: https://birnsummerschool.org/

The penultimate day of teaching at BIRN’s Summer School of Investigative Reporting focussed on pitching and visual storytelling, after picking up Wednesday’s thread of mental wellbeing and advanced data journalism.

Jakub Gornicki, reporter and co-founder of visual storytelling platform Outriders, explained to the participants the process involved in creating engaging stories.

“Journalism does not have to be boring, so we combine art and reporting skills to explain global issues,” he said, while discussing some of the platform’s work in Ukraine and other places.

Visual storytelling can offer a “new angle on already known events”, he said. “We usually post three months after something happened.”

The participants had the chance to build on Wednesday’s discussions concerning data scraping from open sources and how to use artificial intelligence for elementary coding.

Blake Morrison, lead trainer and investigative projects editor with Reuters in New York, led a session on pitching stories. Journalists should not necessarily see themselves as “salesmen”, he said, but “selling the story is like selling yourself”.

“We need to anticipate that your editors will be sceptical, and that they will ask questions,” he said, so journalists should expect to be queried and to offer answers.

The day ended with a workshop on stress management led by A.X. Mino, a programme director at the Self Investigation network, a global non-profit that promotes healthy work culture in the media and communication industries.

Friday will be the last day of workshops before participants get to pitch their story ideas on Saturday.

One result of BIRN’s 14th Summer School of Investigative Reporting may be more cross-border cooperation between journalists from Uzbekistan and the Balkans.

Among the more than 30 participating reporters are Anastasia Galimova and Yuriy Park, thanks to a partnership between BIRN and the Network for Border Crossing Journalism, N-ost, and its Spheres of Influence Uncovered project bringing together journalists from seven countries across Eurasia in covering the impact of international economic cooperation.

“After the lectures, I got even more inspiration to work and investigate,” Galimova said on Day Four of the week-long course in Mlini, near Dubrovnik on Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

“Also it is a good experience to meet many colleagues from different countries because most of the time I work remotely and online. It is a great opportunity for me to talk with so many investigative journalists and hear their experiences and to know what is happening in different parts of the world.”

One notable difference the Uzbek journalists noticed was the level of transparency in other countries.

“We heard during the BIRN summer school that, for example, when a journalist in Sweden asks for some documents, the government gives it to them,” said Park. “It is much harder to get that kind of document in our country. Another problem is the safety of journalists.”

Park said he had been “inspired” by a talk by Russian journalist Elena Kostyuchenk0 as well as lead trainer Blake Morrison and, from Sweden, the investigative journalists Ali Fegan and Maria Georgieva.

“I see how they treat their job and how it is done on a very high level,” Park said.

Every year, participants in the Summer School have the opportunity to work on investigative, cross-border stories with the support of experienced BIRN editors.

Park and Galimova said they already had some ideas.

“We have already talked with some of our colleagues and shared some ideas,” Galimova told BIRN. “For me, it is crucial to find collaboration outside of the Central Asia region. We have seen here that we have a lot of topics similar to those of the Balkan countries, for example, Chinese investments. We’ve talked with our colleagues and we have found the same patterns.”

Park said he was new to cross-border collaboration.

“We didn’t have any cooperation with colleagues from the Balkans, but as we are developing our ideas we are seeing some connection between Uzbekistan and Balkan and we want to explore it,” he said. “There are many issues that we can only cover through cross-border cooperation so it is a great opportunity and we are looking forward to doing that.”

Day Three of BIRN’s Summer School of Investigative Reporting began on Wednesday with a session dedicated to the secrets of a good interview before considering the benefits of new technologies and the challenge of protecting mental health.

Authenticity, preparation and “knowing your subject” are key to conducting a good interview, lead trainer and Reuters investigative projects editor Blake Morrison told the more than 30 participants in Mlini, Croatia.

“These people don’t know us, and we have to maintain a certain level of distance from them, we can’t be their friends,” he said. “Sometimes we have to convince them that they want to be interviewed by us.”

BIRN’s 14th Summer School brings together journalists from across Central and Eastern Europe for a week of insight and advice from 15 trainers.

Drawing on years of personal experience, Morrison urged the participants to think about “what makes your friends tell you their secrets” and to approach every interview as if they are interviewing themselves. He stressed the need for “confidence, honesty, curiosity and genuine interest in the people and topic”.

Digital infrastructure experts Boris Budini and Redon Skikuli of CryptoParty Tirana continued the day with a workshop looking at the benefits of technology in journalism.

“The intersection of technology and journalism helps us to protect ourselves and our sources, but also to use available tech to do our research and expose abuse of power,” Budini said.

The tech duo treated the participants to a list of tips and tricks in navigating open source intelligence, advanced use of search engines and the filtering of data.

The day continued with parallel group sessions on advanced data journalism, digital security and how to search the dark web. The day ended with workshops on mental health.