Start of the “Youth Media Sprint” Training: Young Journalists Learn About Investigative Journalism, Security and Free Access to Information
The first Module within the “Youth Media Sprint: Novi Sad Newsroom Lab” project was successfully held on September 26 in Novi Sad, bringing together 20 young participants. This gathering marked a strong beginning to the educational cycle dedicated to empowering future media professionals, featuring lectures by top experts in the fields of investigative journalism and the right to access information.
The educational session was opened by one of the most prominent investigative journalist Vuk Cvijić, who shared decades of his invaluable experience with his young colleagues. The focus of his lecture was on the entire process of creating a serious story – from recognizing the right topic and cross-checking facts, to protecting journalists and sensitive sources. Cvijić clearly told the participants that the source is always more important than the story and that they must be protected at all costs. He warned the young journalists about the importance of caution when dealing with people on the wrong side of the law and emphasized that solid evidence must be gathered for every story, noting that a piece of paper, i.e., a document, is the best evidence for everything presented in the text. He also emphasized the golden rule of journalism: never rely exclusively on one source, but always cross-reference the gathered information
Following the introductory part, a top-notch practical training titled “Light Watchdog and Freedom of Information (FOI)” was held, led by the outstanding Bojan Elek. Along with a detailed explanation of the difference between daily and investigative journalism, Elek drew the participants’ attention to the fact that state institutions have become extremely closed to cooperation over the last decade. Precisely because of this, he showed them why an official document is the undisputed foundation of every good story, guiding them through all the details of the Law on Free Access to Information of Public Importance. The participants had the opportunity to learn how formal legal requests for information differ from classic journalistic questions, as well as why every claim in the text must undergo rigorous fact-checking to protect against potential lawsuits.
About the project: The project “Youth Media Sprint: Novi Sad Newsroom Lab” lasts for 10 months and is implemented by the Regional Academy for Democratic Development (ADD) in partnership with Educons University. This project is realized within the wider “MEdIA – Lit” program, implemented by the Centre for Civic Education (CCE) with partners (Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia, Tirana Centre for Journalistic Excellence, Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in the Republic of Macedonia, and the Atlantic Initiative), with the financial support of the European Union and co-financing from the Ministry of Regional Investment Development and Cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations of the Government of Montenegro.
