The Investigative Journalism Manual (IJM) is a project of the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS). It has been designed by the KAS Media Programme Asia, Singapore, in association with the KAS Media Programme South East Europe, Sofia, Bulgaria, to support watchdog journalism worldwide. We are constantly updating and gradually translating it into as many languages as possible.
The IJM is designed to equip journalists with core investigative reporting skills and to support watchdog journalism in difficult environments. The results of their work will strengthen existing democratic institutions or serve as a catalyst to establish democratic structures where there are none. The manual is an update to the guide published by the KAS Media Programme Africa seven years ago, which was accessed by some 30,000 visitors annually. The great success of the first version was the reason for KAS Global Media to revise and internationalize the chapters.
Investigative journalists in Africa and Asia often operate in extremely challenging environments, and some are designed specifically to thwart them. The manual is intended to help reporters facing such challenges as repressive media laws, so-called anti-terrorism regulations, the culture of non-transparency and limited resources. The IJM is also a hands-on training tool, allowing readers to test their knowledge with quizzes at the end of each chapter. Relevant case studies, which will be updated continuously, are also provided.
The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) is a German political foundation. It is a global advocate for the promotion of democracy and the rule of law, as well as the enforcement of the human rights. For that reason, KAS supports the development of a free and independent media, political parties, parliaments, and social groups through training and further education. The success of a society depends on stability, efficiency and openness of its elite. KAS supports responsibly minded future elites, both nationally and internationally.
The work of KAS is based on the value-system of the German constitutional law, as well as the principles of freedom and justice, solidarity and peace. Its activities are characterized by the commitment to Christian social values and a liberal ethos. Our vision of society with its structural principles about subsidiarity and solidarity is based on ideas in the interaction between freedom and justice, independent achievement and joint cooperation while also being able to act in the public interest.