As part of the Inquirer Award 2009, the investigative journalism workshops in Lebanon for university students kicked off this week with the British Ambassador to Lebanon Frances Guy attending the first session of both the Print and TV workshops held at the first and second branches of Journalism of the Lebanese University. The workshops focused on investigative print and TV techniques delivered by two Thompson Foundations trainers.

For five consecutive days the university students and graduates will be exposed to the latest techniques and skills of  print and TV investigative reporting run by two specialised trainers from The Thomson Foundation. The Inquirer Award programme is a media initiative that is managed by The Thomson Foundation and funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Background

Print and Television journalists as well as photojournalists from Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine are eligible to compete for The Inquirer Award 2009.
The reporter has the freedom to choose the topic of his investigation as long as it is important and relevant to the region and its people.  Entries must be in Arabic.

A panel of independent judges will be looking for entries that show comprehensive and thorough research, incisive interviewing techniques, and creative well-constructed writing and presentation.

As well as receiving The Inquirer Award 2009, the first place winners in the Television, Print and Photojournalism categories will enjoy an all-expense paid study tour for one week in the UK.

The deadline for submitting all entries is 17 December 2009.

The Inquirer Award 2009 is a media initiative managed by The Thomson Foundation (www.thomsonfoundation.org)