Amina Ousaid
On Thursday, December 5, the city of Fez hosted the conclusion of the International Conference on “Investigative Journalism and Research Methodology in Wars and Crises.” The event was organized by the “Laboratory of Literary, Linguistic, Media, and Communication Studies” at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, affiliated with Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fez, in partnership with the Al Jazeera Center for Studies. The two-day conference brought together a distinguished group of university professors, academics, and researchers from across the Arab world to discuss various topics related to investigative journalism and its latest developments and challenges in this unique and demanding field.
The conference sessions addressed a wide range of issues, starting with the role of scientific research methods in strengthening the foundations of investigative journalism. Speakers emphasized the importance of adopting scientific methodologies in preparing investigative reports. Professor Mohamed Karim Boukhassas highlighted the main differences and overlaps between investigative journalism and scientific research methods, stating: “Investigative journalism differs from scientific methodologies in dealing with sources, procedural approaches, and presenting results.”
The conference also explored the topic of journalistic ethics in investigative work and the challenges faced by investigative journalists when covering wars and conflicts in hotspots. Experiences from journalists in the Gaza Strip were presented as case studies.
Additionally, the spotlight was placed on modern tools and techniques used by journalists in producing investigative reports, including artificial intelligence and social media networks. Discussions also touched on the role of media and academic institutions in supporting investigative journalism, as well as various legal issues surrounding the field.
At the conclusion of the conference, participation certificates were distributed to attendees. A thematic workshop was also organized for students from the Media and Communication Sciences department, led by Professor Mona Magdy Abdel Maqsoud, focusing on research techniques in investigative journalism.
