Tag: 2026

by Aleksandra Vrbica

The second day of the BIRN Summer School of Investigative Reporting in Ohrid, North Macedonia, started with lead trainer Blake Morrison’s wrapping up of Day 1, followed by a masterclass in open-source intelligence. This masterclass was led by Reade Levinson, visual investigations reporter at Reuters News.

Levinson showed participants how to improve their online search for images and data using different tools to find and verify publicly available information. Through practical exercises, participants learned useful tips and tricks on how to find data that is not easily accessible through Google.

She also explained how to use tools on social media to gain more information for investigations.

“The algorithms are getting better and better. When I did an investigation on the Nigerian army, I used TikTok,” Levinson said.

Participants had an opportunity to learn more about these tools through exercises, which included videos of the “Flamingo” revolution in Albania and the wildfires that broke out in Croatia this summer.

After Levinson’s masterclass, Jonathan Soma, professor of data journalism at Columbia University Journalism School, shared approaches to data analysis using the data tool Pandas and coding with the help of AI.

Together with Soma, participants did several exercises on coding basics in PDF files and learned how to find, analyse and change data in these files, using the Python programming language.

“All you need are patterns that you copy and change,” said Soma.

However, since journalists aren’t programmers, Soma showed participants how AI can make their work much easier, especially when data visualisation is needed.

“What you really want to ask ChatGPT and other AIs is to design the tool, which it will design for you. And for that, Claude is better than ChatGPT,” explained Soma.

In response to the question of why it is important for journalists to know coding basics when AI can do so much, Soma responded:

“Every single concept you know becomes a building block you can glue together. The more blocks, the stronger your foundation.”

The second day ended with Soma’s session on how AI transformed newsrooms, data and document-based investigation.

“Data journalism enabled small newsrooms to do really big investigations,” Soma said.

by Aleksandra Vrbica

On Monday, August 18, the 2026 BIRN Summer School of Investigative Reporting officially began in Ohrid, bringing together journalists from across the region and beyond for a week of intensive learning, collaboration and investigative journalism.

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

The participants were welcomed by Ana Petruseva, BIRN Macedonia Executive Director; Gentiana Murati, BIRN Deputy Director; and Blake Morrison, lead trainer and Investigative Projects Editor at Reuters News.

The first day started with Blake Morrison‘s session, which set the tone for a week focused on one central question: How do we go beyond reporting what is happening and investigate why it is happening?

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.

Gordana Andric, Investigative Editor at BIRN Hub and BIRN Serbia, also discussed formulating story ideas and how participants should structure their pitch.

The session guided participants through the steps of developing a story idea into an article proposal. There was a discussion on sources and newsworthiness, how to move from a broad topic to a specific angle, what the key elements of every pitch are and why all of this matters.

During the second part of the day, a Q&A session was held with BIRN investigative journalists Gordana Andric, Sasa Dragojlo and Ana Petruseva, moderated by Jeta Xharra, BIRN Kosovo Director.

The session brought together BIRN’s leading investigative journalists to discuss how they developed stories from initial ideas into impactful investigations. Through a moderated Q&A and discussion, participants explored the editorial choices, research, challenges and investigative approaches behind 10 selected stories, gaining practical insights from the journalists’ experience.

Among other things, Petruseva presented BIRN Macedonia’s interactive online database Skopje 2014 Uncovered, which documents and maps the publicly-funded buildings, monuments, facades and sculptures that transformed the capital city. She gave input into how information of public interest can be checked.

“First, we relied on the electronic system. But the problem was – and this is how we figured out that the government wanted to hide this from us – there would be a lot of typos in the documents. You would go to a certain building, and it wouldn’t be the correct address,” Petruseva said, explaining some of the issues they experienced while working on this investigation.

Petruseva also presented the database on religious communities’ assets in North Macedonia.

Sasa Dragojlo explained how BIRN worked on a story about Serbian-Israeli ammunition cooperation and the latest investigation on Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his connection with Jorg Heeskens, who has been advising Vucic almost since the moment he took power. Documents obtained by BIRN/Der Spiegel show just how closely Heeskens has worked with Vucic on a deeply unpopular lithium mining project, exposing what critics say is German complicity in the president’s subversion of democracy.

Over the coming days, participants will work with experienced journalists and trainers to strengthen their skills in investigative reporting, develop story ideas, explore new research and digital tools, and learn how to turn questions and suspicions into well-evidenced investigations.

That’s the idea behind the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network Summer School of Investigative Reporting.

Each year, it brings together journalists and journalism students from across Europe for an intensive week where participants don’t just learn about investigative journalism; they learn how to do it.

The programme combines learning and practice. Participants are introduced to key elements of investigative journalism, such as story development, open source intelligence OSINT, data journalism, fact checking and digital security.

These are explored through real examples and hands on exercises guided by experienced national and international journalists, editors and experts in the field.

What makes it stand out is the way learning happens in practice. Instead of staying in theory, participants apply what they learn immediately, developing ideas, testing information and improving their reporting step by step with feedback from trainers and peers.

As one participant shared: “I came to the Summer School hoping to learn new investigative techniques and meet journalists from across the region. It turned out to be much more than that.

“The programme was intensive, every day brought something new, and by the end of the week it felt like we had known each other for years. Learning from experienced editors, receiving feedback from different mentors, and building lasting friendships made it an unforgettable experience.” – Tamara Kanuchova, Reporter, VSquare.org & The European Correspondent (Slovakia)

Another added: “What I loved most was that we were not just sitting in lectures. We worked with journalists from different countries, challenged each other’s ideas, travelled for field reporting, and turned our pitch into a published investigation. I still use what I learned during the Summer School, and I am still in touch with many of the people I met there.” — Patrik Galavits, Reporter, Direkt36 (Hungary)

By the end of the week, participants don’t just understand investigative journalism, they have actually practiced it in a collaborative environment shaped by international expertise.

A key part of the programme is that participants come with their own investigative story ideas and develop them throughout the week. From the start, they work on their pitches through all sessions, refining them with guidance from experienced national and international journalists, editors, and trainers. Participants also can work one-on-one with trainers to strengthen their ideas.

At the end of the programme, they formally pitch their investigations. Selected pitches receive financial support as well as continued editorial mentorship from experienced editors at Balkan Insight, helping participants further develop and pursue their stories beyond the Summer School.

Join the 2026 BIRN Summer School in Ohrid

In 2026, the programme will take place in Ohrid, North Macedonia, from 17 to 23 August. It is designed for journalists and journalism students who want to strengthen their investigative journalism skills and learn directly through practice from experienced national and international journalists, editors and experts.

📍 Ohrid, North Macedonia
📅 17–23 August 2026
🗓️ Application deadline: 10 July 2026

👉 Apply here: https://birnsummerschool.org/news-and-events/birn-summer-school-of-investigative-reporting-2026-dont-just-report-the-news-investigate-it/

This is not about producing more content. It is about learning how to ask sharper questions, follow stronger leads and turn ideas into investigations that matter.

The Programme

From August 17 to 23, 2026 in Ohrid, North Macedonia, participants will join an intensive, hands-on investigative programme focused on cross-border reporting, open-source investigations and data-driven storytelling.

This year’s focus is on how investigative journalism is evolving in a complex information environment, combining traditional reporting with digital verification, OSINT tools and structured data work.

Alongside the main investigative sessions, participants will take part in practical workshops on verification, digital security and visual investigations. These are designed to strengthen both technical skills and editorial judgment.

Who This Is For

We are looking for journalists from the Western Balkans and across southeast Europe who want to move from reporting events to uncovering systems, patterns and accountability.

We especially encourage applications from early and mid-career journalists, particularly those working in difficult or under-resourced media environments where investigative reporting is both challenging and essential.

BIRN is providing up to 30 full scholarships for selected participants from the Western Balkans and across southeast Europe.

Self-funded participation is also welcome.

Mentorship and Editorial Support

This is a working environment, not a lecture series.

Participants will develop their own investigative ideas from the very beginning and receive continuous editorial feedback from experienced international journalists and trainers. The focus is practical and hands-on throughout the week.

Mentorship includes guidance on sourcing, verification, story development, structure and investigative methods, with close support as each project develops.

Trainers

This year’s programme includes Blake Morrison from Reuters, who leads complex cross-border investigations, Jonathan Soma from Columbia University, who specialises in making data clear and usable in storytelling, Sharbil Nammour, a media safety expert focused on secure reporting in challenging environments, and Reade Levinson from Reuters Visual Investigations, known for uncovering stories through open-source and visual evidence.

More trainers will be announced as the programme develops.

Why It Matters

Investigative journalism takes time, patience and space to think. That space is becoming harder to find. This programme is built to give it back.

Join Us

If you have a story idea that has stayed with you, one that deserves more than a headline, this is the place to take it further.

Prepare your pitch, apply and join us in Ohrid.

Applications are now open.

Apply here: Application Form for BIRN Summer School of Investigative Reporting 2026 | ECR Platform.

The deadline to submit your application is July 10, 2026. Take the next step towards developing your investigative story with leading journalists and trainers from the region and beyond.

This is a space for curious minds and future journalists who want to understand the step by step process through which investigative stories are built, from the initial idea to final publication.

Over one week, you will work closely with experienced journalists, editors, and open-source intelligence experts. You will learn how to find and verify information, work with data and public records, and develop stories that truly matter.

In the coming weeks, we will open the call for applications and share more details about the programme, including scholarships, mentors, speakers, and trainers from leading local and international newsrooms.

If you have ever wanted to understand how investigations are really done, this is your chance. Stay tuned.

The next generation of investigative journalism starts here.