An intensive weekend course with some of the best investigative reporters in the land
Overview
There are some qualities of the investigative journalist that can't be taught, such as persistence, determination and a functioning moral compass. This course will give you a grasp of everything else.
A team of expert journalists including Guardian senior reporter Ian Cobain, former investigations executive editor David Leigh and BBC internet research specialist Paul Myers will show you the amount of information available to tenacious researchers, where it is, and how to find it. As well as a crash course in the resources available for using the internet for in-depth research, you'll learn how to use social media to conduct open investigations, how to use figures to tell a wider story, and how to make Freedom Of Information requests in the UK and abroad. Although the course is aimed at those looking to improve their journalistic skillset, these are also useful tools for campaigners, activists, charities and anyone with an interest in holding the powerful to account.
Tutor profiles
Ian Cobain has been a journalist for 30 years and is currently an investigative reporter with the Guardian. His inquiries into the UK's counter-terrorism practices since 9/11 have won a number of major awards, including the Martha Gellhorn Prize and the Paul Foot Award for investigative journalism. He has also won a number of Amnesty International media awards and a human rights award from Liberty. His book, Cruel Britannia, was named Debut Political Book of the Year in this year's Political Book Awards.
David Leigh is one of Britain's leading investigative journalists, and winner of the 2007 Paul Foot Award for Campaigning Journalism. David is Assistant Editor at The Guardian, with special responsibility for investigations. He has also worked in London at the Observer, where he ran an investigation team, and at The Times. He has won seven press awards, including Granada's Investigative Journalist of the Year, the British Press Awards Campaigning Journalist of the Year, and an award from the UK Freedom of Information Campaign. In 2006 he was Highly Commended for investigations into alleged corruption at BAE Systems. His books include The Liar (an account of the Jonathan Aitken affair); Sleaze (the story of the Neil Hamilton case) and a book campaigning for freedom of information legislation.
Paul Myers first used the Internet in 1978 and has been using the web since 1993. He became a news information researcher in 1995, and has been involved in journalism training since 1999. Blending his previous career as a computer operator and programmer with the world of journalism, Paul pioneered many of the online research techniques that are now commonplace in the media. He is always developing new strategies to cope with the changing digital landscape. Paul continues to work closely with investigative, current affairs, news and consumer programmes on TV and radio. He combines his time with training, consultancy and web design. Paul runs the Research Clinic website which contains his tools, links and study material.
More tutors to be announced.
To book
Details
Dates: Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September 2013
Times: 10am-5pm
Location: The Guardian, 90 York Way, King's Cross, London, N1 9GU
Price:£449 Early bird ticket (limited)
£499 Standard ticket (includes VAT, booking fees, lunch and refreshments)
Event capacity: 16 (except during keynotes when 32)
To contact us, click here. Terms and conditions can be found here.
Returns policy
Tickets may be refunded if you contact us at least 28 days before the course start date. After this time, up to 7 days before the course start date we may accept tickets and attempt to resell them on your behalf if the event is sold out. If the ticket is resold you will receive a refund of the ticket price, minus an administration fee equal to 10% of the ticket price. We cannot offer any refunds or attempt to resell your ticket less than 7 days before the course start date. Tickets may be transferred to another name, however they are not transferable to other courses or dates. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.