Eco-Journalism Investigations: Spotlight on the Black Sea & Danube

It consisted of two training workshops for 10 investigative/environmental journalists from BNT and the Romanian Public Television (TVR).

In the period between the in-person training sessions, two webinars with investigative journalists were held, to showcase their investigations and share their experiences, in particular regarding accessing sources of sensitive information, dealing with whistleblowers, and confronting official authorities.

The first training workshop took place in Golden Sands, Varna region, on 18-20 September, and covered the environmental issues of the Black Sea.

The second training workshop in Ruse was held on 23-25 October, and addressed the longtime issues related to the pollution of the Danube River, especially its lower section, where Bulgaria and Romania are mostly affected.

Both training workshops consisted of a theoretical and a practical module to provide the participating journalists with a wider view on the ecological issues of the Black Sea and the Danube River, including a first-hand information from people involved in these problems on a daily basis.

The workshops and the webinars, allying theoretical training and field work and relying on the competences and professional experience of lecturers working in this field, aimed to:

• Foster cross-border research and networking through exchange of know-how, ideas, resources, and valuable insights;
• Establish innovative investigative approaches and methods;
• Contribute to the professional growth of the next generation of watchdog journalists;
• Promote possibilities for future cross-border investigations on environmental issues (and not only).

The organisers aimed to improve journalists’ investigation skills and quality practical reporting on the environmental issues which would allow the latter to:

• Raise citizens’ awareness about the environmental issues and challenges related to these geographical areas;
• Deliver clear and relevant messages tailored to the local context through effective and sound journalistic investigations;
• Spread more effectively sensitive information and make it accessible and understandable to the large public, thus fostering critical thinking and solidifying the very basis of civil society;
• Promote good practices and responsible behaviuor among the citizens. 

The project aimed at fostering cross-border research and networking through exchange of know-how, ideas, resources and valuable insights; establishing innovative investigative approaches and methods; fostering the next generation of watchdog journalists; and promoting possibilities for future cross-border investigations.

The selection of journalists from BNT and TVR for the training was based on a set of carefully
considered criteria to ensure the most relevant and impactful participation, such as:
- Professional Experience in Investigative Journalism: Journalists with a proven track
record in investigative reporting were prioritized. We sought participants who had
experience in investigating complex issues, particularly those related to environmental,
political, or socio-economic topics. This ensured that the trainees had the skills necessary to
benefit from and contribute to the advanced level of the training.
-  Interest and Focus on Environmental Issues: Journalists who had previously demonstrated
an interest or focus on environmental reporting were selected. This included those who had
worked on stories covering topics such as pollution, sustainability, and marine conservation,
aligning with the project’s focus on the Black Sea and Danube regions.
- Cross-Border and Regional Reporting: Given the cross-border nature of the project,
preference was given to journalists who had experience or interest in reporting on
transnational issues. The goal was to foster collaboration between Bulgarian and Romanian
journalists, and encourage future cross-border investigations on shared environmental
challenges in the Black Sea and Danube regions.
- Potential for Long-Term Impact: We also considered the potential for these journalists to
implement their learnings in future investigations and to influence public discourse on
environmental issues. Those who demonstrated a commitment to using investigative
journalism to promote transparency, accountability, and sustainability were given priority.
This selection process ensured that the participating journalists were not only qualified but also
highly motivated to address the critical environmental challenges both Black Sea and Danube regions
are facing.

Photo: ©BNT