The Global Investigative Journalism Conference set to take place in Africa for the first time

By ABDULHAKIM SHERMAN
newsdesk@reporter.co.ke
At least 1,100 journalists from around the world converge in Johannesburg , South Africa for the Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC) to be held on the continent for the first time from November 16 -19.
The 2017 Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC) brings together journalists from a record-breaking 130 countries.
The Global Investigative Journalism Conference is the world’s largest international gathering of investigative reporters. The conferences are held every two years.
The conferences are widely credited with playing a key role in the rapid global expansion of investigative reporting over the past decade. By focusing on skills and training, they have helped spread state-of-the-art investigative reporting, data journalism, and cross-border collaboration around the world.
Journalists who have attended the global conferences have returned home and made a major impact on such issues as corruption, health care, and the environment.
Among journalists from Kenya attending the conference include John-Allan Namu and Kassim Mohammed (Africa Uncensored), Lee Mwiti (Africa Check), Catherine Wambua (Aljazeera), Catherine Gicheru (Code of Kenya), Patrick Mayoyo (Daily Reporter), James Ratemo (Media Council of Kenya) and Geoffrey Kkamadi (Freelance).

Twelve extraordinary investigative projects from around the world are finalists in the seventh Global Shining Light Award, a prize that honors investigative journalism in developing or transitioning countries, done under threat, duress or under dire conditions.
An international panel of judges selected the finalists from 211 projects, submitted by journalists in 67 countries. All the stories were published or broadcast between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2016, and are outstanding examples of journalists digging into wrongdoings and exposing systemic problems that impact their communities and countries and, often, the world.
The winners will be announced at the 2017 Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Johannesburg, which runs from November 16-19, and will be presented with an honorary plaque and $2,000.
The award is sponsored by the Global Investigative Journalism Network, an association of 155 nonprofit organizations in 68 countries.
Finalists
“Inside the Massive Extrajudicial Killings in Nigeria’s South-East” and “How the Onitsha Massacre of Pro-Biafra Supporters was Coordinated,” Premium Times, Nigeria (2016). Reporter: Emmanuel Mayah; Editor: Musikilu Mojeed
A two-month long investigation by Mayah uncovered multiple mass graves, lending support to allegations that police and military forces have been targeting a minority ethnic group for abuse and extra-judicial killings. Following reports that included photo evidence, human rights groups called for an independent probe and the army announced another investigation.
“Justice,” Tiger Eye PI, Ghana (2015), Al Jazeera English (2017), Insight TWI. The team: Anas Aremeyaw Anas, Philip Clothier, Paul Sapin and Raphael Rowe
A two-year undercover investigation produced evidence of 34 judges and over 100 clerks accepting bribes to rule a certain way in court cases. Following the release of a three-hour documentary and the publication of newspaper reports, 25 judges were removed from office and a number of judicial staff were relieved of their duties.

“Project No. 1,” Beladi TV channel, Iraq (2016), Investigation: Asaad Al-Zalzali; Photography: Thaer Khalid
When $200 million allocated for public schools in Iraq went missing, reporter Al-Zalzali followed the money, which led him to a bank and to another country. The story exposed the magnitude of corruption in the country’s Ministry of Education and led to a conviction and a settlement that returned half the stolen money.
Read More: https://gijn.org/2017/07/19/12-finalists-named-for-global-shining-light-award-2/?mc_cid=2ce3516179&mc_eid=[UNIQID]
This year’s Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC17) is brought to you by GIJN and the Wits Journalism Program of the University of the Witwatersrand, with the support of Investigative Journalism Workshop and the University of of the Witwatersrand. This year’s conference incorporates the 12th African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC2017), an annual event hosted by Wits Journalism.