Keeping an Eye on the Boom: Investigative Journalists in Emerging Economies

Hosted by Deutsche Welle

Economies in East and Southeast Asia have experienced decades of rapid growth, with GDPs climbing up to 7-10 percent per year. But this growth has taken place mainly uncontrolled and has often come at a high cost to the environment and society.

Some countries in Africa are now on the brink of making the same mistakes by expanding their economies and markets while disregarding social and environmental impacts. Media could play an important role in pointing this out, but journalists in Asia and Africa alike are often confronted with certain obstacles as they face restrictions imposed either by governments or powerful multinational corporations.

Investigative journalism could play an important role in raising awareness and revising public opinion regarding unknown social and environmental risks. How do investigative journalists work in such environments? How do they obtain and publish information, given the frequency of corruption, censorship and personal threats? The panel will give insight into the everyday struggles of investigative journalists in booming countries. The panelists will showcase their work and discuss how they manage to overcome obstacles in order to be able to pursue their profession.

Moderation:

Gehrke, Mirjam
Senior Editor, German Service, Deutsche Welle, Bonn, Germany

Panelists:

Rees, Gavin
Director, Dart Centre Europe, London, United Kingdom

Zhou, Qing
Journalist and Author, Munich, Germany

Ogunseye, Toyosi
Editor, The Sunday Punch, Lagos, Nigeria

Complete workshop on soundcloud:

WS29 - Keeping an Eye on the Boom - Investigative Journalists in Emerging Economies