Call for Applications: The Role of Investigative Journalism in Transitional Justice Process
Are you a journalist, researcher or media-practitioner interested in the intersection of investigative journalism and transitional justice? We invite you to apply for a dedicated three-day training that will explore how journalism can contribute to accountability, memory and societal reconciliation after conflict.
Date: 20–22 January
Location: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Eligible countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia
Number of participants: 25
What is this training about?
In post-conflict societies, journalism plays a crucial role in exposing past and ongoing injustices, documenting war crimes, giving voice to survivors, and supporting public debate about accountability and memory. Sessions will include lectures and discussions with media experts from BIRN Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This training aims to equip participants with skills and tools to:
- Investigate and report on transitional justice issues, including war-crimes trials, missing persons, mass graves, reparations, and memorialisation.
- Understand legal and ethical challenges in covering sensitive topics.
- Engage with victims and survivors respectfully and responsibly.
- Produce in-depth stories that contribute to public awareness.
Who can apply?
- Journalists, editors, reporters, students, media researchers or independent media workers from BiH, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia.
- Professionals with any level of journalism or media-research experience, including early-career journalists, freelancers or people coming from civil society/NGO backgrounds with relevant interests in transitional justice and human rights reporting.
- Individuals who are strongly motivated to explore investigative journalism in the context of post-conflict transitional justice.
We particularly encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, including minority communities, underrepresented groups and people committed to human rights, memory and justice.
What we offer
- Comprehensive three-day training in Sarajevo (20–22 January).
- Expert-led sessions on investigative journalism, legal frameworks, ethics, victim-centred reporting, research and storytelling for transitional justice contexts.
- A platform for networking with regional peers, human rights practitioners, researchers and legal experts.
Post-Training Assignment
Participants will be required to apply the knowledge gained during the training immediately upon returning to their institution or workplace. This includes producing a short investigative or analytical output related to transitional justice (such as an article, interview, research brief, lecture or multimedia piece) within a defined period after the training.
To support this process, a modest honorarium will be provided upon successful completion and submission of the assignment.
How to apply
If you are interested, please fill in this application form
Please send your application by 18 December 2025, 17:00 CET. Selected candidates will be notified by 26 December.
Selection
Applications will be evaluated on the basis of:
- Motivation and commitment to engage in investigative journalism on transitional justice.
- Relevance of applicant’s background and interest (journalistic, civil society, academic).
- Potential contribution to the regional public debate on transitional justice and to community-engaged journalism.
Language and Conditions
- Training language: English
- Travel costs and accommodation will be covered by BIRN.
- Info session for all those interested will be held on December 16. Please register here.
If you are passionate about justice, memory, human rights and the power of journalism to contribute to social transformation, this training is for you. We look forward to your applications – and to collaborating on meaningful investigative work.