Workshops

Storytelling Secrets

On December 6, journalist and documentary filmmaker Assaad Taha led a three-hour training titled "Storytelling Secret." Nineteen journalists participated in the session, which focused on transforming traditional reports and investigations into compelling narrative stories. Key techniques included framing stories from a human-centered perspective, using a relatable protagonist to connect with audiences, and building suspense through unexpected details.

Media Defence Litigation Surgery

On December 6–7, a two-day training titled “Media Defence Litigation Surgery” was held with support from Media Defence. The workshop brought together eight lawyers. Led by Media Defence Legal Director Pádraig Hughes, CEO Carlos Gaio, and media lawyer Khalid Khlaifat, the training focused on press freedom, journalist protection, digital rights, and privacy. It also emphasized the role of international organizations in legal support and advocacy.

Verification for Journalists: How to Spot Fake Content

On December 6–7, a two-day training titled “Verification for Journalists: How to Spot Fake Content” was conducted with funding from NIJ. Seventeen journalists participated. Led by Faktisk journalist and verification specialist Silje Førsund, the training introduced key verification tools, including AI-driven systems and social media monitoring platforms. It covered the five-step verification method, focusing on content identification, source tracing, and manipulation detection.

Introduction to the ARIJ Investigative Updated Manual

On December 6–7, a two-day training titled “Introduction to the ARIJ Investigative Updated Manual” was delivered with funding from Carnegie. The workshop brought together 27 media professors. Led by Al Jazeera Media Network journalists Naji Tamimi (Producer, Investigative Journalism Department) and Khadija Addi (Senior Program Producer), the training introduced participants to the updated ARIJ Investigative Manual and its integration into university curricula.

Journalism Unbound: Empowering Freedom of Expression

On December 6–7, a two-day training titled “Journalism Unbound: Empowering Freedom of Expression” was held with funding from FPU. Sixteen journalists from Jordan participated. Led by Media Literacy and Communication Consultant Bayan Al-Tal, the workshop focused on strengthening ethical journalism by combining theoretical insights with real-world experiences.

Physical Safety First

Between December 6–8, ARIJ conducted a three-day training titled “Physical Safety First.” Eighteen journalists participated. Led by safety expert Abdullah Maksour, the workshop focused on strengthening safety and crisis management skills for Palestinian and Lebanese media institutions operating in high-risk environments. Participants developed safety plans for emergencies such as war, arrests, equipment confiscation, and office targeting.

Fact-checking: Strategic Planning and Development

Between December 6–8, ARIJ held a three-day training titled “Fact-checking: Strategic Planning and Development” with funding from SKUP. Nineteen fact-checkers participated. Led by Dr. Arwa Kooli (IPSI Assistant Professor), Anass Bendrif (EU EOM Social Media Analyst), Ihsan Adel (Founder and Chair, Law for Palestine), and Raji Abdul Salam (Chief Legal Data Archivist), the training focused on post-publication fact-checking methodologies, strategic planning to counter disinformation, and using fact-checking as legal evidence.

Advanced Training Techniques for AFCN Fact Lab Trainers

Between December 6–8, ARIJ conducted a three-day training titled “Advanced Training Techniques for AFCN Fact Lab Trainers” with funding from GNI. Seventeen trainers participated. Led by DW Producer and Media Presenter Ahmed Abida, the training covered strategic planning, goal setting, activity organization, theory-practice integration, effective communication, and time management, all reinforced with real-life examples.

Pre-publication Fact-Checking in Media Organizations: Challenges and Opportunities

On December 8, ARIJ’s AFCN held a two-hour training titled “Pre-publication Fact-Checking in Media Organizations: Challenges and Opportunities” as part of the “SA7” project, supported by CFI. The session brought together 22 journalists and fact-checkers representing 10 media organizations. Led by AFCN Project Specialist Fact-Checker Fatima Bani Ahmad, and IPSI Assistant Professor Dr. Arwa Kooli, the training explored challenges in integrating pre-publication fact-checking into editorial workflows and discussed innovative solutions for improvement.

Advanced Skills in Open Source for Investigations

On December 8, ARIJ conducted a three-hour training titled “Advanced Skills in Open Source for Investigations” with funding from The Norwegian Embassy. Led by Nicholas Waters, Head of Justice and Accountability at Bellingcat, the workshop was attended by 25 journalists. The session focused on advanced open-source techniques and the use of visual evidence for accountability. Case studies, including the shooting of Shireen Abu Akleh and the arrest warrants for Mahmoud al-Werfalli, provided practical insights into verifying visual content by identifying location, date, and time. Participants strengthened their investigative skills to enhance verification processes.

The Art of Podcasting: From Concept to Rough Cut

On December 8, ARIJ held a three-hour training titled “The Art of Podcasting: From Concept to Rough Cut” led by podcast producer and filmmaker Ahmad Damen. Sixteen participants attended. The workshop introduced foundational podcasting skills, covering conceptualization, planning, and execution. It explored best practices in content development, recording techniques, and episode structuring. Through hands-on exercises, participants simulated real-world recording scenarios and received practical demonstrations on Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), including editing, tape management, and post-production.

Open Workshops

On December 7, ARIJ held a three-hour training titled “Data Journalism: Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Investigative Reporting” led by ARIJ Executive Editor and Data Trainer Ethar Azem. More than 40 journalists attended. The workshop explored AI tools for environmental reporting, data analysis with Highcharts.ai, and web scraping using tools like Data Scraper. Participants learned to search academic papers, locate accurate data, and use ChatGPT 4.0 for scraping, cleaning, and analysis, equipping them to integrate AI into investigative journalism.
On December 8, ARIJ conducted a three-hour training titled “Digital Documentation Tools: Launching Global Rights Compliance’s Starvation Mobile App” in collaboration with GRC. Led by Nuha Al Ariki, former Executive Director at Mwatana for Human Rights, the workshop was attended by 10 participants. The session introduced the GRC Starvation Mobile App and Manual, equipping journalists, human rights defenders, and CSOs with tools to document and investigate starvation crimes. Participants engaged in live demonstrations, hands-on activities, and case-based exercises. Available in Arabic, English, and Ukrainian, the app provides practical guidance, investigative tools, and IHL/ICL standards to strengthen compliance and accountability efforts.
On December 7–8, ARIJ, in collaboration with the Rory Peck Trust, held a series of three-hour safety training sessions for journalists. Media Development Consultant Abeer Saady led the physical safety session, Mental Health and Trauma Consultant Khaled Nasser led the mental safety session, and Digital Security and Cybersecurity Trainer Yahya Al-Sbih led the digital safety session. The training equipped journalists with essential skills in physical protection, mental well-being, and digital security to enhance their safety in high-risk environments.