27 Feb Our debt to democracy is far bigger than 1 million crowns
Statement by the Gothenburg Media Hub:
About the Gothenburg University School of journalism, media and communication’s decision to close down the Masters in Investigative Journalism in 2026-2027
You can also read a Swedish version of our statement published by Journalisten.
Gothenburg 27 February 2026
Every time we miss the chance to form an investigative journalist we deny society the chance of gaining a critical thinker that asks difficult questions and burns for justice. The investigations made both within the private and public sector strengthen our society and shield our democracies.
JMG, the Journalism and Media department within Gothenburg University, has decided to pause MIJ, the masters programme in investigative journalism for the academic year 2026/27 to save 1 million Swedish crowns.
To lose the possibility of forming around 30 international investigative journalists, even for just one year, has a cost on democracy. Not only in Sweden but also in many other countries around the world from where the MIJ students come from.
MIJ, is the only journalism education in Sweden taught in English that specifically focuses on investigative methods and cross-border collaborations.
The programme is thought for those who demonstrate an ambition to work within journalism during a one year intense programme. It is designed specifically for candidates with different academic backgrounds: from economics to political science, physics to law; allowing different competences to benefit the journalistic field.
This contributes to a broad diversity in perspectives and ways of thinking that benefits journalism and the innovative spirit within newsrooms. An important learning from the master’s is also that collaboration is more important than individual prestige and that focus should be on the story, not the byline.
We are living in a time in which AI-misuse, disinformation campaigns, an increase in polarisation, the growth of authoritarian tendencies and the threat of war. In such challenging circumstances, investigative journalism is more important than ever.
Losing our democracies is cheap. To build it up again is an incredibly costly ordeal.
Just one journalist or one investigation can have a big impact on defending human rights and in one way or another change the world. Now 30 people will lose the possibility of doing so.
We, alumni from MIJ, members of the nonprofit organisation Gothenburg Media Hub and NORDIG – the project to build a Nordic network for investigative journalists, are deeply disappointed over the decision and are absolutely convinced that there are other ways to find the economic resources to save the continuation of the programme even for the academic year 2026/2027.
The formal decision will be taken on Monday, the 2nd of March. We hope that by writing this we can raise awareness of the importance of the course and reverse the decision. We attach the testimonies of former and current MIJ students who share their own thoughts and experiences of the course.
Sign a petition for keeping the MIJ at Gothenburg University here.
Read the testimonies from the MIJ Alumni:
It’s hard to put my time at MIJ into words.
In itself, the program is one of a kind, visionary to the core, bringing experienced journalists and less experienced ones together to learn the ins and outs of investigative and data journalism through a mix of practical and technical modules.
I haven’t heard of many journalism degrees welcoming people from all academic backgrounds like MIJ does. While I came from law, my colleagues studied everything from journalism to politics, biomedicine and sociology. Some had all kinds of journalistic experience, from radio to broadcast, while others were humanitarian nurses in conflict zones. In its essence, MIJ builds the future of quality, ethical and independent journalism by bringing skill sets together that would not always be favoured in traditional journalism degrees.
We found our peers through this program, built networks that allowed for professional experience, and produced quality investigative stories. Axing this degree in particular, a program with this pedigree and potential, seems like the wrong decision in today’s socio-political climate.
The MIJ program is a gem, a rare one. At a time when the journalistic field and its integrity are in jeopardy, axing this program would be an unbelievable mistake. It would mean axing the future of journalism and free speech.
Rodrigo Costa Ribeiro, Luxembourg, Class of 2025
MIJ changed my way of doing journalism drastically. I learnt how to dig deep, find surprising synergies, see potential in a broad range of topics, and work smart – not fast. These skills have been useful in my work as a journalist, communicator and documentary filmmaker. Being trained at MIJ has provided me with a critical palette that I am sure will be useful for the rest of my life. Not to forget that I had the opportunity to learn from the best, and meet extremely talented investigators who I admire and still collaborate with today. We need more MIJers to disclose the injustices of our time. Let MIJ stay!
Norah Lång, Åland Islands, Class of 2025
Studying MIJ was one of the most important experiences of my path in journalism. Working with classmates from all over the world with a focus on collaboration has informed the way I approach investigative journalism and journalism at large. Since graduating, I have published investigative stories with former classmates (which wouldn’t have been possible or as impactful without their participation and perspectives) and used the amazing network of alumni and teachers for help and advice. This has not only been a benefit to me, but to my work and, therefore, to journalism and democracy. The challenges we face today require strong-willed investigative journalists that work together rather than in competition – that is the spirit of MIJ. Let’s not throw all of that away.
Rita Cruz, Portugal / Sweden, Class of 2022
MIJ was a very special program for me. It was such a good combination of theory and practice, that I felt it really prepared me for investigative journalism even though I had no background in journalism. The teachers were all incredibly competent, which really helped to actually develop the skills I came to learn. Also the focus on data journalism was really of added value, it taught me skills that I feel I wouldn’t have learned anywhere and that I think will be so useful now and in the future.
Learning journalism in a Swedish context was also immensely interesting and valuable, because I was inspired by the standard for open information and it is a good example to take this level of transparency and demand it in other countries as well. MIJ gave me an insight in how the world works, how power is organised and how to start to change to world for good.
The analytical skills and most importantly, the critical thinking, I’ve learnt at MIJ will not only be useful in journalism but also in any other field. We need critical thinkers everywhere and if there is no more training in investigative journalism, we lack a generation of the guardians of democracy!
Isa Baas, the Netherlands, Class of 2025
First off, MIJ allowed me to even just study investigative journalism thanks to the financial support offered to European citizens. Without admission to this program, I would have had to go into debt for life or give up this vital but risky job, which is so unsustainable for most of us. It gave me the crucial investigative tools I was seeking – and much more. It opened up entire universes in terms of methods and techniques, but above all, it taught me how to be tenacious and truly convinced that we are the watchdogs of democracy. It enabled me to land the job I have today and build a solid network of respected colleagues and friends that I otherwise would have struggled to connect with. On a broader level, I believe the potential end of MIJ would negatively impact a community that rolls up its sleeves every day to bring important stories to light for our societies.
Giulia Penta, Italy, Class of 2025
I think this master is an essential – and unique in Europe – place for journalists and aspiring journalists from all over the world to meet and create the links that will shape the future of cross-border investigative journalism. This is needed more than ever.
Emma Bougerol, France, Class of 2026
Med en bakgrund som forskare specialiserad inom brottsutredningar sökte jag MIJ för att vidareutveckla mina kunskaper i granskning och sanningssökande – och har inte blivit besviken. Programmet håller genomgående hög nivå och samlar en unik grupp studenter med olika kompetenser och perspektiv.
Data- och grävande journalistik överlappar i hög grad vetenskaplig metod och brottsutredningar och är därmed central för maktgranskning. Internationellt utvecklas nu snabbt sådant gränsöverskridande arbete, och i en svensk kontext är MIJ i detta avseende unikt.
Med den snabba utvecklingen riskerar ett uppehåll att leda till förlorad kompetens och brutna samarbeten som kan bli svåra att återuppbygga inför en nystart 2027. Med respekt för ekonomiska begränsningar och utan full insyn i beslutsunderlaget vill jag ändå understryka vikten av att – om möjligt – prioritera MIJ.
Rebecca Willén, Sverige, Class of 2026
I believe MIJ was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. The program exceeds its educational purpose and stimulates curious and principled minds to explore all possible realms. The pillars of journalism served as an inspiration for the pillars of life in general. The unique opportunity to be in a class with people from all over the world and from diverse educational backgrounds is something I hope everyone gets to experience. The current global threats only underline the need for strong, fundamental education that goes beyond the classroom.
For these reasons, discontinuing the program would be a significant loss. MIJ does not merely train students; it cultivates critical thinkers, responsible storytellers, and globally aware professionals. At a time when nuanced, ethical journalism is more essential than ever, programs like MIJ are not expendable: they are indispensable.
Aros Salah, Netherlands, Class of 2025
The MIJ programme is unique for various reasons, from the intercultural communication, the networking opportunities to the incorporation of data journalism. For me it taught me trust myself and my instincts, that we can do much more than we set our minds to.
It has shaped journalists who have won awards, published in notorious newspapers, and it would be a shame to see it end, even if for a year. It pains me to know that a future generation of journalists wouldn’t have the support we did to enter an already precarious labor market, that they wouldn’t have the same knowledge, or support from professors, classmates and alumni that we rely on during our first steps in the field.
Most of all it is a shame that this decision is even being considered, when the whole world wants to give up on journalists, villainizing them and falling into censorship. This is not a time for GU to follow suit, it is a time to be proud of the journalists that left those classrooms, and to endorse a free press worldwide by sending out the best journalists they can.
This master’s has changed my life in ways I never knew to be possible. One year without it means new students will start their careers with an uneven field, or worse, give up without ever knowing what it could’ve been like.
Sara Oliveira, Portugal, Class of 2025
MIJ var ett sådant program som tände min passion för undersökande journalistik, som jag nog aldrig hade hittat så tidigt i livet annars. Det öppnade dörrar till ett helt nytt tänkande – globala perspektiv som kan tas ner på lokal nivå, komma nära den riktiga människan och vikten i att samarbeta med kollegor utanför ens egna värld. Ett sådant program som fick mig önska att det var två år, istället för ett. Nog alla som gått MIJ kan hålla med om att det erbjöd otroligt mycket unik kunskap och inte minst vänner och kontakter över en stor del av världen. Ledsamt att se ifall det prioriteras ner och framtida journalister inte får ta del av denna möjlighet som är unik i hela Sverige. Och inte minst färdigheter som är viktigare och viktigare att behålla samt utveckla i den värld vi har idag.
Wiktoria Gruca, Sverige, MIJ 2024
I could go on forever with all the personal gain I received during my year in MIJ: skills in journalism, language skill, the people, the experiences. But I would like to point out the significant growth in interest and need in investigative/long format journalism. There is a growing problem of news fatigue, bad understanding of context and of course false information. Long format and investigative journalism are one of the key opponents to these problems. The issue is, the pathways to these branches of journalism are very hard to reach without places like MIJ!
Kaarlo Kulmane, Finland, Class of 2025
I dagens samhälle, där apati har blivit alltmer utbrett, är det väldigt ovanligt att träffa ett gäng människor som så genuint älskar vad de gör. Att i dagens läge prioritera bort detta skulle vara mer än beklagligt.
Robin Bucher, Sverige, Class of 2024
MIJ has changed my life in so many ways. It defined the journalist I am today and want to be. Thanks to this master’s programme, hidden information relevant to European society was made public. Politicians, companies and other people in positions of power have been held accountable. None of this would have happened without MIJ. Just one year without MIJ means that injustices, abuses and illegal activities remain hidden and are allowed to continue for a whole year. Just one year without MIJ also means doing without investigative journalists, whom we need in these difficult times.
David Haas, Germany, Class of 2022
MIJ had a big impact in the way I still view myself as a journalist and the way I work. The program provided a skill set for my work that I haven’t had before – although I was already working in the field and had a bachelor’s degree in journalism. I am now approaching topics more critical and allow myself to take the time for deeper research rather than publishing stories fast. That mindset and skill set still helps me in my daily work.
I also got inspired by the other MIJ-students since we were such a diverse group of journalists. All of the different perspectives have broadened my thinking and also my network – that’s something I wouldn’t have gotten in any other program.
Cutting the program would also send a wrong message: Investigative journalism is so important and will always be but there is still a kind of barrier for journalists in investigative work since it goes against the machinery of our fast moving news demand. MIJ helped me to completely change that thinking and made me more confident in my work.
Anna Niere, Germany, Class of 2021
I believe a decision to shutter MIJ is very short-sighted. MIJ gathers incredibly curious, driven people and teaches them to collaborate across cultures and borders, training them to expose injustices and uncover truth amid disinformation — skills and values which I would argue are incredibly important right now. It provided me personally with crucial journalistic ethics and methods that I genuinely use in my everyday newsroom work, as well as a group of lifelong friends and collaborators from across the globe. MIJ is one of the few incredible spaces where people can incubate and learn in a uniquely international environment. The program at GU expanded my mind and taught me things I don’t think I could have learned anywhere else. The masters pushes a group of people to look deeply into global issues, and then says, “oh, and here’s exactly how you can help.”
Owen Carpenter-Zehe, United States, Class of 2025
