Azerbaijan starts website for journalists-investigators

On May 3 in Baku, the celebrations of the World Press Freedom Day were accompanied by the presentation of the website of the Regional School of Investigative Journalism (RSIJ). The website investigator.az, operated in three languages (Azerbaijani, Russian and English) will be the first and the only in Azerbaijan special resource for investigative journalists.

The RSIJ, as a network of investigative journalists of the region, was established in 2009 within the framework of the programme run by the Open Society Institute – Soros Foundation and entitled "Transparency of Public Finance and Media". The network covers journalists from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

As noted by Djavid Khalilov, the project coordinator, the website was created by the Azerbaijani NGOs, "Promoting Economic Initiatives" with the financial support of the Soros Foundation. The launch of the resource with all its capabilities will be an impetus for development of the investigative journalism in the country, said Khalilov.

The resource has posted training and practical manuals intended for educating investigative journalists, as well as answers to frequently asked questions about the investigative journalism. It is possible to ask question to the administration, and in the section "Useful Data" visitors can obtain information about reports of NGOs and governmental bodies.

Journalists can now make use of the website to share information, news and other data. The website operates its forum, where users can discuss topical issues and new publications.

Besides, in Mr Khalilov's view, the website will become a good platform for discussions, exchange of information and experience among journalists of the country and the region.