September 10 – 15, 2016, Potsdam, Germany
The M100 Young European Journalists Workshop (M100YEJ) is part of the renowned annual international media conference M100 Sanssouci Colloquium in Potsdam, Germany. It addresses a young generation of journalists and editors between the ages of 18 of 26 from all over Europe. In addition to the cultivation of practical and theoretical knowledge relating to journalism and journalistic work, the workshop also seeks to generate contacts and long-term ties among participants. This fruitful exchange is an important factor as it presents a once-in-a-lifetime chance for many participants to gain first-hand experience of the conditions under which their fellow journalists from different political and social systems live and work.
In 2016, the workshop will be devoted to the theme of “Investigative Journalism – Purposes, Techniques, and specific Challenges”.
Investigative journalism is the most challenging form of journalism. It forms a major part of the so-called “fourth Estate” function that the media play in democratic societies – i.e. as a monitor of political bodies and companies. Most recently the publishing of the so called “Panama Papers” by an international investigative network of investigative journalists has shown the importance of investigative research beyond day-to-day business.
This kind of journalism involves a high level of professionalism, perseverance, precise research, comprehensive background knowledge, solid contacts, and the knowledge how to research and verify in social networks like twitter and Facebook.
The workshops, which are headed by professional investigative journalists and trainers, are designed to include both practical exercises as well as theoretical matters. In collaboration with investigative-journalism networks like “Netzwerk Recherche”, “Correctiv!”, and OCCRP, a number of workshops will discuss the basic foundations and conditions required for investigative research, while also providing an explanation of potential strategies and the carrying out of practical exercises.
The workshop will be held in English. It ends with the participation at the M100 Sanssouci Colloquium on September 15, 2016, with about 60 high-level representatives from the media, politics, academia, and relevant institutions about the prospects of a free and democratic Europe caught between the threat of terror, shifts to the right, renationalisation, streams of refugees, surveillance mania and a loss of political control.
Conditions of participation:
Young journalists between 18 and 26 years old from the whole of Europe (especially from the countries of the Eastern Partnership Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Belarus, Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as from Russia, but also from all other parts of the European continent), can apply by submitting a text in English and the following task (6.000 characters maximum, including spaces):
– Define the term “investigative journalism”. Describe the possibilities and limitations of investigative journalism in your country using a concrete case (you can implement your own professional experience with investigative journalism in the text).
– The application form includes the text, a CV (with a photo), and a brief motivational statement, stating your reasons for applying for this particular workshop. Only applications in English are taken into consideration.
Selected participants will be invited to a Skype interview, and then the final decisions will be made.
Please send your application by email by 12 June 2016, 00:00 a.m. (midnight) [email protected].
Contact: Isabel Gahren
The M100YEJ is an initiative of the City of Potsdam and Potsdam Media International e.V.. It is supported by the Federal Foreign Office and the National Endowment for Democracy and takes place in cooperation with the European Youth Press and the MIZ Potsdam.
For more information please visit: www.m100potsdam.org
