Date: December 18, 2025
Workshop Dates: December 5–6, 2025
Location: Amman, Jordan
As part of ARIJ 18th Annual Forum held in Amman from December 5 to 7, 2025, ARIJ conducted a specialized training titled “Tackling Difficult Investigations” with the support of NED Foundation, aimed at equipping journalists with the editorial and methodological skills needed to plan and execute in-depth investigations across print, digital, and visual platforms. The training was organized as part of a project funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
Spanning two days, the workshop focused on enhancing participants’ ability to assess investigative ideas, build cohesive narrative structures, apply effective risk assessment techniques, conduct sensitive interviews, and verify facts before publication—all in service of producing impactful investigations that hold power to account. The training was led by acclaimed Canadian journalist and documentarian Julian Sher, an international award winner and expert in deep investigations and organized crime.
On day one, participants explored the fundamentals of a strong investigative story, including what makes a topic worthy of investigation. They worked through an “investigative checklist” and learned how to structure timelines, evidence, and core questions. The training also emphasized the importance of maintaining a clear focus throughout the investigative process and building compelling narratives driven by “characters on a journey”—from victims and witnesses to those in power.
Day two focused on writing impactful investigative stories, applying the principle of “show, don’t tell,” using the five senses in storytelling, and crafting clear narrative arcs with a beginning, climax, and resolution. The training also addressed how to conduct sensitive interviews with vulnerable sources and victims and how to protect accuracy through rigorous fact-checking, avoiding bias, and maintaining full visibility of the bigger picture—ultimately applying editorial safeguards before publication.
The training welcomed 15 journalists from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Palestine, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
Participants praised the organization of the workshop, the real-life examples shared, the clarity of the narrative model, and the interactive sessions that allowed them to share their experiences and receive direct feedback on their projects.
Abdelwahab Aloua (Egypt):
“This training deepened my skills in narrative building, source handling, and investigation structuring. The real-life examples shared by the trainer significantly enriched our learning experience.”
Ahmed Al-Wasaei (Yemen):
“Despite having over 10 years of experience in investigative journalism, this workshop was a valuable and unique addition. It gave me fresh inspiration and a more effective way to deal with large volumes of information.”
Amal Kanaan (Morocco):
“The training helped me use emotions more effectively in storytelling and better handle tough interviews. What I’ve learned here will definitely transform the way I approach future investigations.”
This training reflects ARIJ’s ongoing vision to strengthen Arab investigative journalism by equipping reporters with editorial and practical tools to produce high-quality, high-impact stories that uncover complex truths and promote accountability through advanced skills in storytelling, verification, and risk management.
