Creating investigative reporting is not an easy task, especially in this digital era where the media prefer to publish as much straight news as possible instead of long-form investigative articles.
“This situation makes investigation not optimal. It takes years to uncover documents,” said Zen R.S., Chief Editor of Narasi TV, in a discussion on corruption eradication movement at the Anticorruption Learning Center on Friday (Nov. 8).
That is why only few media conduct investigative reporting, as it requires a lot of human resources, high cost and a long period of time. The concern has led to the launch of Anticorruption Investigative Journalists Club by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Coalition of Civil Society during the discussion.
“We are inviting our journalist friends to collaborate and have joint investigation,” Zen said.
The club is important, he said, because joint investigation will make the job easier and it is a method to expand the network.
“Collaboration with many institutions outside of the media, particularly community and anticorruption activists, will provide journalists with plenty of data,” Zen added.
Chief Editor of Kantor Berita Radio (KBR) Citra Dyah Prastuti said by joining the club, journalists will have collective power. They can also exchange information and learn from one another on how to face the challenges in producing investigative reports.
“Especially on how to protect journalists and whistle blowers when the report is published. Together, we can be stronger in facing the threats,” she said.
Journalist and author of Key Witness, Metta Dharmasaputra agreed with Citra, saying that journalists can share the risk of the threats, which will be smaller in scale compared to being faced by only one media.
“The risks will be shared, not just carried by one media. Collaboration will make us stronger,” said the co-founder of Katadata.co.id.
KPK Director of Public Education and Service Giri Suprapdiono welcomed the collaboration, which he said is critical to reveal the truth for the public.
“Investigate report enables the public to know what exactly is going on,” he said.
Giri said the media plays huge role in public education. Therefore, media competition to get exclusive contents is much less important than journalistic collaboration for public interest.
“It is not time for a media to lead. Let’s do it together,” Giri said, adding that KPK will collaborate with the media and civil society to create investigative reports.
