The job of journalists can be dangerous sometimes. Reporters may have to deal with criminals that can seriously harm them. It is the objective of several investigative consortia to deal with the burning issues and unreported networks such as Group America, a largely unknown criminal gang involved in corruption, organized crime, and drug smuggling. KRIK and investigace.cz seek to improve investigative journalism and reporting on criminal and controversial topics journalists risk their lives for. Data gathering for those working within the field of investigative journalism is essential to offer readers a first-hand experience on issues linked with criminality. However, occasionally the reports are the result of a dangerous connection in terms of its sources with vengeful, criminal bands and organized crimes.
Stevan Dojčinović’s and Pavla Holcová’s projects report stories between security and crime & organized gangs and states’ deviated sectors; caution must be exercised when handling these stories. The role of the sources is also important, and sometimes it must remain anonymous or at least not openly exposed. Consortia of independent non-profit investigative journalists dealing with topics such as corruption, organized crime, and other criminal operations are extremely impactful on social levels since they offer exclusive services to the societies and the states they work in, making underground worlds emerge among crime and state, legal and illegal, thus allowing the public itself to have an opinion and fresh information on mysterious and opaque parts of the society.
Reporting by investigative journalists is risky potentially but readers often understand the importance of shedding light and clarity on the hidden aspects of organized and criminal gangs. The risks of certain types of insightful investigative journalism are closely related to the issues it intends to cover. It is very dangerous to investigate and report on (under)worlds related to drugs, organized crime, the disappearance of people, corruption, trafficking of every kind, and illicit materials. Journalists working and reporting on these issues put their lives in danger. The stories they produce can cost them years of work and sacrifices as well as threats and the inability to be protected.
Amedeo Gasparini
(Published on Prague Media Point)