INDEPENDENT MEDIA

Media for Transparent Governance

2-days basic training

Investigative reporting workshop was organized on January 20- 21, 2005 and involved in total 37 journalists: 20 from Ulaanbaatar and 18 from 17 provinces. 11 local trainers conducted the workshop and it covered the following topics:

- What is investigative reporting? Why Investigative journalism?
- Legal environment for journalistic investigations in Mongolia
- Corruption, types of corruption
- Corruption as the main topic of investigative reporting
- How to investigate the corruption?
- In-depth research and information sources
- Obstacles enfaced during investigations of corruption reporting
- Media Freedom and censorship
- Access to information, possibilities for journalists, hidden issues
- Information sources and how to protect them
- Ethics of investigative journalism
- Civic participation

“Investigative reporting” course outline

Day 1
9.30-11.00 What is investigative reporting? M.Munkhmandakh /doctor rerum politcarum/
11.00-11.20 Tea break
11.20-12.20 Corruption, types of corruption B.Tsog-Ornoh /Political Education.Inst/
12.20-13.20 Corruption as the main topic of investigative reporting R.Oyuntsetseg, B.Burenjargal /PIM/

13.00-14.00 Lunch
14.00-15.00 How to investigate the corruption?
15.00-15.30 In-depth research, information sourses Ch.Bazar /Ph.D/
15.30-15.40 Tea break
15.40-17.10 Problems which journalists encounter in relation to corruption reporting N.Tungalag /PIM/

Day 2
9.30-11.00 Freedom of the press and censorship H.Naranjargal /Globe international/
11.00-11.20 Tea break
11.20-13.00 Access to information, possibilities for journalists, hidden issues M.Zulikafil /Sc.D professor/
13.00-14.00 Lunch
14.00-15.00 How to work with sourses and how to protect them D.Batjargal /PIM/
15.00-15.30 Issues of ethics N.Dariimaa /PIM/
15.30-15.40 Tea break
15.40-17.00 Civil society groups involved S.Bayaraa

The end

Investigative journalism course report
Ulaanbaatar, January 25,2005

The Mongolian Press Institute in cooperation with the Globe International and Zorig Foundation has organized a two day training course on “Investigative journalism” on January 20-21, 2005.The course was led by the Press Institute’s journalism teachers in accordance with the schedule agreed with the Globe International and attached to the contact.

Training content
The course included lectures and discussions on following topics:
- What is investigative journalism? Why investigative journalism?
- Legal environment for journalistic investigations in Mongolia
- Corruption, types of corruption /From the budget point of view/
- How to investigate corruption
- In-depth research and information sources
- Obstacles enfaced during investigations on corruption
- Media freedom and censorship
- Access to information, hidden issues
- Information sources and how to protect them
- Ethics of investigative journalism
- Civic participation

Training method
Since the goal was to introduce to basic terms, theories, background information on above mentioned topics, the training course was predominated by lectures. However, almost all lectures were given in the inter-active way, and the participants were encouraged to critical thinking and active participation, in order to support independent assessments and comparative analysis of facts and information.

Lecturers
Following persons participated in the course with lectures:
- M.Munkhmandakh, Director of the Press Institute, PhD,
- Tsog-Ornokh, lecturer, Academy for political education,
- Kh.Naranjargal, Head, Globe International NGO
- M.Zulikafil, Professor, Mongolian National University
- S.Bayar, Expert, Zorig Foundation
- Based on lectures, Press Institute teachers R.Oyuntsetseg, B.Burenjargal, D.Batjargal, N.Dariimaa organized discussion rounds to elaborate the topics on concrete examples.

Technical facilities
The course was organized in the conference hall of the Press Institute. The technical facilities including overhead projector, white screen, white board etc. have been provided by the Press Institute. The lecturer from the Academy for Political Education used his own LCD projector.

Participants
17 journalists from rural areas and 20 journalists from the capital, a total of 37 people participated in the course.
Not all participants from the capital did have the possibility to consequently take part in all sessions – some of them had to skip certain lectures due to other obligations. All participants from rural areas actively participated in all sessions. However, the majority of them did not ever participate in training courses on investigative journalism, so their level of knowledge and skills considerably differed from that of their colleagues in the capital.

Evaluation
The different background and knowledge of participants made it necessary to more detailed discussion and presentation of topics than planned, which consequently resulted on the longer duration of the course. In general the participation rate remained during the entire training course very high. In accordance with course evaluation form, two participants said, it did not fully meet the interests of participants. All other participants said the course has fully met their expectations.

Name of Participants
1. T.Tsevelmaa 104.5 FM Radio
2. Ch. Baigalmaa “Hentii “ news peper
3. M. Narangerel Dundgobi TV
4. B. Tuya Dornod news peper
5. B. Ariunzaya Meri tub
6. B. Narantsetseg Gobi Altai “TSahiur tumur “
7. O. Amarzaya Arkhangai “Tamir “TV
8. Yondonduichur “Fokus” news peper
9. A. Amarsaikhan “Tonshuul”
10. G. Baasansuren Gobi Sumber Choir-54 news peper
11. A. Bazarsad Khovd, “Khovdiin medee”
12.B. Ider “Zavkhani medee”
13. B.Bold “Uduriin sonin”
14. N. Sarantuya Bayan ulgii” Ulke-Umiri” sonin
15. B.Ganbat “Ubsiin amidral”
16. G.Norjmoo “Bulganii medee”
17. G. Erdenetsetseg “Bayanhogor taims”
18.G. Oyunbileg Umnugobi “Mongol gobi” sonin
19. L. Unukhishig Hubsugul “Dalai eej” sonin
20. O. Erdenejargal Erdenet “Tani amidral” sonin
21. D. Tsend UEPG
22. G.Ekhbaatar Tugsugchdiin holboo
23. G.Munknasan Radio Hurd
24. O. Namchin “Zuuhi medee”
25. CH. Bayartotokh MONTSAME
26. A. Otgonjargal Biz Mongolia. Mn
27. B. Bulgamaa “UB Post”
28. S.Munkhjargal DA. “Uls tur” sonin
29. B.Enkhzaya “Mongoliin medee” sonin
30. G. Ekhamar DA.- O.H Radio
31. J.Erdenebileg MURadio
32. TS. Amarzaya “Selengiin medee”
33. N.Naranbileg “Zuuni medee” sonin
34. Narantuya Khovd “Tungalag buyant “FM radio
35. D.Munkhburen Glob international
36. Ts. Chimeddondog “Deedsiin amidral” sonin
37. G.Ulziisaikhan “Shinjleh ukhaan tanin medehui”
38. S. Bayar Zorig san zubluh
39. Ch. Bazar IZNam sudlaach
40. H. Naranjargal Glob international
41. Tsog-Urnuh UTBA

Report written by: D.Batjargal /Press Institute/