SDJF promotes Investigative Journalism among University Students

A panel Discussion on Investigative journalism, “Striving for Democracy Through Investigative Journalism” was held on 28th May 2022, in Colombo.  Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) invited three renowned journalists as panelists for the event: Ms. Dilrukshi Handunetti, Executive Director for Center for Investigative Reporting Sri Lanka; Mr. Shihar Aneez, Investigative/ Data Journalism trainer at the Center for Investigative Reporting Sri Lanka; and Mr. Rifthi Ali, Founder/ Chief editor of Vidyal.lk. The undergraduate students representing University of Peradeniya, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, University of Jaffna and South Eastern University and academia participated in this panel discussion. 60 university students who participated from the four universities were very keen to learn about investigative journalism and the experience shared by the renowned journalists from Sri Lanka.

The moderator of the panel, Mr. Azad Mustaffa, the Program Director of SDJF, gave an introduction and paved the way for the panelists to share their experiences and ideas. He steered the session shaping the learning and ideas of the young and upcoming journalists in the Media and communications stream in the Universities to pursue investigative journalism in the future.

Ms. Dilrukshi Handunetti said “Investigative journalism is about speaking truth to power” and contributing to achieve justice. She discussed how journalists should not become the story and be able to cover the stories that are out there. By citing renowned female investigative reporters like Rana Ayyub from India, Rozina Islam from Bangladesh, and Sheila Coronel from the Philippines, Ms. Handunetti shed light on the difficulties female investigative journalists go through in the face of adversity. In the meantime, well-known data journalist Mr. Shihar Aneez highlighted “Importance of data is not only on numbers, but information shared.” Mr. Rifthi Ali further highlighted how important it is to be aware about the Right to Information act as a journalist in Sri Lanka and how useful it is in journalism. He said “Do not be fearful of RTI. Use RTI and find your data”.

The InSPIRE university students had many questions about investigative journalism. They asked about security and protection of investigative journalists and whether there are special mechanisms and laws to protect them; the female investigative journalists, Muslim female investigative journalists and their protection, how female investigative journalists should behave in the field; how dissemination of data and useful information is being done, what are the initiatives taken to disseminate useful information; and whether government data can be trusted.

 The panel discussion on investigative journalism shed a light on the university students on how to renounce passivity in journalism and actively involve in reporting. Chinthaka Sadaruwan from University of Sri Jayewardenepura said “I learned lot of things today. Mainly, what is investigative journalism and our responsibility as upcoming journalists. How to do investigative journalism inspired me to use this in my career in the future.” 

This session was part of the InSPIRE Annual Forum which was organized by HELVETAS Sri Lanka and SDJF, on the theme, LEARN. SHARE. CONNECT – Diversifying learning through synergies. The overall objectives of the Annual Forum are to provide: a platform for Knowledge building and information exchange; and an opportunity for cross fertilization of ideas and enable peer-to-peer learning.

The Panel Discussion was followed by two practical sessions on: “Live Streaming” by Mr. Alexshanther Kamilas; and Right to Information (RTI) Act by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL). The RTI session was very meaningful and informative session as the students were made knowledgeable about the Act and how to file an RTI.

Overall the entire program spread the vibe of learning by sharing.

Ovin Amaratunga from University of Peradeniya said “I had no prior knowledge in journalism. I was able to learn what are the different types of journalism, Live Streaming and RTI. RTI session was very informative. We were able to interact with students from different universities as well as different study areas. We were able to share ideas and discuss as groups during the day. It was very useful. So, in the future, I plan to share the knowledge gained today with my family and my university community.” And

Ogochucki Manuela, a Nigerian student who is with University of Peradeniya as an Exchange student shared her experience. She said “This is a very insightful session. I learned about concept of investigative journalism and what is the correct way to be a journalist. I remember What Ms. Dilrukshi Handunetti said about being a journalist, she said ‘you should not be the journalist who take selfies with people, but be the journalist who people want to take selfies with’.”

The project “Incubator Spaces for Promoting Information Rights and Freedom of Expression” (InSPIRE) implemented by HELVETAS Intercooperation gGmbH, in partnership with Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) is an initiative funded by the European Union.