Reprinted from unifor.org/en/whats-new/news/unifor-sponsors-investigative-journalism-project
Unifor is sponsoring a unique project to promote investigative journalism and help train the next generation of reporters interested in pursuing such stories.
“Investigative journalism plays a vital role in our society. Unifor is honoured to support an innovative approach to high-impact reporting – and one that also helps train new journalists,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias.
“Our hope is that the Unifor-funded interns of today will one day be some of this country’s leading investigative journalists.”
Unifor is contributing $25,000 per year for five years to sponsor two interns, Charlie Buckley and Giulia Fiaoni, and other related expenses.
“Without Unifor’s generosity and investment in funding our research, the project would not be what it is today,” said Fiaoni.
The Investigative Journalism Bureau for Collaborative Reporting and Training was launched Thursday at the University of Toronto. The centre will get students involved in major investigative projects and train them on the disciplines of investigative journalism.
“We’ve seen how collaborative investigations can unearth meaningful revelations, inform important discussions and impact public policy,” said Rob Cribb, a Toronto Star investigative reporter and Unifor member who envisioned the program and will lead the project.
“The IJB will be a powerful expression of this emerging investigative model, bringing together the collective brainpower of world-class academics and student researchers with top-flight international journalists and media outlets.”
IJB’s investigative reporting will be integrated with Dalla Lana’s Journalism and Health Advocacy Program, led by Robert Steiner, an award-winning journalist and founding director of the Fellowship in Global Journalism.
“I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity, both to contribute to vital reporting in the public interest and to develop my skills and instincts as a journalist,” said Buckley.