In summer 2024 we sent out a survey to journalists across the Nordic region, asking whether or not they think a Nordic-level network of investigative journalists would be useful for their work.

Many of the questions were structured, so to make it easy to make visualisations which are easy to grasp and look great in power-point presentations. You find those answers here.

A couple of questions were open (and optional) and this is where we gave a blank paper and asked journalists what their needs are and what they would need from a Nordic network. Not every survey respondent filled these in, but some of the ones who did really took time to share thoughts and ideas on the what a Nordic network could look like.

How do you imagine an ideal Nordic investigative journalism network to look like?

The above summary was generated by an artificial intelligence service provided by OpenAI. The content has been checked for accuracy by the author before publication.

Individual answers from the survey, translated into English.

Maybe have a joint chat and regular meetings?

The network could be member-based, have a digital arena, but offer places, discounted access to conferences and host some joint sessions linked to the conferences we have today, such as Grävseminariet and SKUP. It should have a small secretariat or a group that facilitates and coordinates the network.

A shared digital network/database where you can find source material, exchange tips and advice, etc.

Some sort of platform that makes it easy to find people to collaborate with, based on, for example, specialisation and so on.

Joint research with agreed embargo and shared credits on investigative reports and increase opportunities for joint journalistic publications. Help in finding sources.

Conferences and gatherings work much better than workshops and formalised meetings for me.

The most important thing is that I can quickly get help to find out which documents I’m entitled to or can get hold of if I need something in Denmark or Sweden. In other words, someone who knows the laws and regulations and can help me with access and the like.

I think that would be very useful. Not least because you can draw on different expertise, networks and other resources.

Preferably seminars where you can network. Have our own chat group.

I would like to have the opportunity to establish contacts with journalists in Sweden and Finland in order to mutually contribute to cases. Preferably conferences and joint competence building.

A conference, an online forum etc.

I think it would be useful if news media from areas with similar challenges could work together. In our coverage area, gang crime is growing, but there are also important issues related to agriculture and forestry. The last two are not equally relevant in the big cities, where most of the major news media are located. Therefore, I believe that such cooperation would benefit media outside the big cities.

Make it easy to access colleagues in other countries to help with data requests, interviews, case contacts, etc.

As data visualisation and forensic architecture are becoming an important part of investigative journalism, I believe it would be beneficial to have part of the network focusing on these areas to learn from each other.

Have inspirational meetings once a month with the latest trends/problems/social issues that are current in the respective countries to get inspired and check if the same things occur in your own country.

What would be the most important elements of a Nordic investigative journalism network for you?

The above summary was generated by an artificial intelligence service provided by OpenAI. The content has been checked for accuracy by the author before publication.

Individual answers from the survey, translated into English.

Getting to know other investigative reporters in the Nordics, being inspired and exchanging knowledge.

There is a benefit in networking with people working on similar issues, but in different locations. What are the differences and similarities? For example: how have they gone about digging into decisions concerning the cutting of forest areas that perhaps should not have been cut? On this particular point, Sweden and Finland have a lot in common.

Working together on issues shared by the entire Nordic region (e.g. defence/security/crime etc.)

Sharing resources and knowledge, having a platform in place to work on cross-border projects across the Nordics

Discover and meet others doing the same work but in neighbouring countries. Co-operate on issues that concern several Nordic countries.

Networking, idea sharing, exchange of methods used, specific knowledge and information.

Co-ordination assistance for projects that need help or are about to start up. Training and enrolment in OCCRP. Verification of Signal keys

To make it easier to search other Nordic countries’ digital source material – archives, registers, databases, etc. To be able to organise collaborative projects across national borders when required.

Bring together different expertise and sources plus ensure a greater impact when publishing.

Inspiration, getting to know each other, learning methods from others.

The joy of working together with others who hopefully have different perspectives and backgrounds. I think it would be an enrichment. Norway is a country of few people and the media is made up of even fewer. Although there are many highly skilled investigative journalists in Norway, it’s always healthy to get impulses from outside.

Connect with journalists in other parts of the Nordic region

Getting to know other journalists and editorial teams who may be interested in collaborating on relevant projects.

Contact persons in other countries, open to collaboration on projects when appropriate.

Sharing specific investigative tips and clues cross-border and cooperation.

Having somewhere to go for help when you’re stuck and the in-house expertise isn’t enough. It would have been great to have a place that could help me with obtaining access, an introduction to the relevant regulations in other countries, relevant sources and other things that come up in such cases. I’m sure there are lots of other things that would also be great, but this is in my immediate need.

Names of people and contact details, a group you can easily talk to, etc.

Getting help to effectively access information from government agencies in other Nordic countries etc.

Getting to know colleagues, possibility to change information and ask for help.

Learning form others.

Getting to know other journalists and learning from them.

Building contacts & collaborations within specific themes (in my case: climate, forest use, food).

A platform to get to know Nordic journalists and brainstorm ideas for collaborations.

Connecting with Nordic data journalists and build important disseminating strategies using new generation tools and techniques.

Important discussions on cross border issues and developing new ways of investigative journalism. Additionally, I would like to build network to investigative Data stories.

Important discussions on cross border issues and developing new ways of investigative journalism. Additionally, I would like to build network to investigative Data stories.

Connecting with Nordic data journalists and build important disseminating strategies using new generation tools and techniques.

Ideas, exchange of practices, networking and possible cooperation.

The possibility to find people to collaborate with on journalistic jobs.

Find collaboration partners and have specific training.

Read more about the NORDIG project here.

Any questions?

Get in touch with our coordinating team: nordig@gothenburgmediahub.com

Alex Maxia / Responsible for the NORDIG survey and co-founder of the project.