Journalists participating in the first training course gained investigative skills

The first module of the first training course for investigators-beginners, implemented by "Regional Union of Youth" within the "Investigative Journalism for Transparency", took place in Kharkiv on September 13-15. Journalists, representatives of the new media, senior students of journalism faculties and civic activists from all regions of Ukraine were invited to the event.

During this module, participants learned the best practices related to investigative journalism. Besides, they have mastered the methods of investigation, gained knowledge and skills in finding, collecting, verifying, and systematization of information. Participants also gained skills of analysing documents and identifying interesting facts. The goal is to learn how to create high-quality media materials and understand the legislation on investigations based on the results of the course.

The trainers:

- Oleksandr Kurbatov – an investigative journalist with 24 years of experience; cooperates with independent investigative projects "Slidstvo.Info" and "Our Money" produced by BIHUS.INFO. Winner of the professional journalism competitions "Professional Honour" in 2016 and 2017 for the best resonant material, winner of investigative journalists’ festival "Mezhyhiria Fest 2016" for the best report.

- Yuliia Zaltsberh – the IFES Ukraine trainer on regulation of financing of electoral campaigns, expert on political finances and electoral processes with experience in promulgation and implementation of political finance reform in Ukraine. Worked in the National Agency on Corruption Prevention. Trainer of anti-corruption school for investigative journalists and activists, analyst in the field of corruption prevention.

During the practical part of the course, participants will have the opportunity to conduct own investigations. The best investigations will take part in the competition, and the winners will be awarded valuable prizes.

The training course lasts in two stages; the second module will take place on October 25-27, 2019 in Dnipro.

The training course is implemented in a partnership with a German organization "Media in Cooperation and Transition" using the German Federal Foreign Office resources.