Berlin, November 2, 2015 – Five journalism networks launched a new network for investigative journalism in Berlin. Initiated by n-ost, n-vestigate involves NGOs from Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine and includes journalists and experts from seven Eastern European countries. Beyond the implementation of crossborder investigations, the initiative aims to strengthen the role of investigative journalism within each respective society. 

Crossborder Research

n-vestigate will connect journalists from Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and EU-countries. One of its core elements is to produce joint transnational investigations. At the kick-off conference in Berlin, Ukrainian media expert Oleg Khomenok stressed the importance of crossborder research for the region, “especially between the conflicting priorities of Eastern Partnership countries, Russia and the EU there is a wide range of transnational topics that deserve in-depth investigation.” 

The project will not only focus on traditional topics of investigative research, such as organised crime and corruption, but also “social topics like inequality, education or health should get more attention by investigative reporters,” stated Evita Purina from the Baltic Center for Investigative Journalism, Re:Baltica. 

Mainstreaming Investigative Journalism

In addition to journalists, the n-vestigate network will also connect activists, media lawyers, chief editors and political consultants. With their support the project wants to trigger a reaction from society in response to investigative research. Very rarely do disclosures provoke any reaction or affect public discourse. Svetlana Reiter, a journalist for the Russian financial and analytical newspaper RBC, explained with regards to her country, “the uncoverings of even a grand corruption case in Russia often provokes no more than a shrug of the shoulders among the few readers who read the story at all.” 

n-vestigate will be carried out by five partner organisations: n-ost, the Network for Reporting on Eastern Europe (Germany); Regional Press Development Institute (Ukraine) and by the three investigative journalism platforms  RISE Moldova (Moldova), Hetq (Armenia) and Liberali (Georgia). 

The project is financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. 

For further information please visit www.n-ost.org/n_vestigate