The Iraqi Network for Investigative Journalism (NIRIJ) is Iraq’s leading investigative journalism network. Founded on 9 May 2011 by a group of professional investigative journalists, NIRIJ has, since its establishment, provided editorial, financial, and advisory support to Iraqi investigative reporters, enabling them to produce in-depth investigations and reports based on documented facts, rigorous research, and multiple credible sources.
NIRIJ supports the production of investigative journalism and in-depth reporting while strengthening journalists’ professional skills through training and capacity building. The network works to promote a culture of investigative journalism in Iraq, positioning journalism as a watchdog capable of exposing errors, monitoring financial and administrative corruption, identifying misconduct in public and civil institutions, and documenting violations affecting all segments of Iraqi society.
Within this mission, NIRIJ assists investigative journalists in producing investigations and in-depth reports on financial and administrative corruption, as well as human rights and social issues affecting women, children, and vulnerable communities. The network helps journalists develop their ideas and investigative hypotheses while providing the financial resources necessary to complete their projects.
NIRIJ oversees every stage of the investigative process, providing direct editorial supervision, helping reporters develop and refine the structure of their investigations, conducting multiple rounds of editing and fact-checking, and supporting publication in Iraqi and Arab media outlets. Selected investigations are also translated into Kurdish and English.
Through its annual and semi-annual programs, NIRIJ provides training opportunities both inside Iraq and internationally for journalists interested in investigative reporting. It also prepares outstanding journalists to become future editors, supervisors, and trainers within the network.
Since its founding, NIRIJ has worked to establish a professional investigative journalism culture across Iraq’s media landscape. It strives to advance investigative reporting as a powerful tool for uncovering hidden realities, documenting facts, and contributing to positive social change.
Services for Journalists
NIRIJ provides comprehensive support for investigative projects, including:
-Covering reporting expenses, including travel, accommodation, laboratory testing where necessary, document acquisition, and database access.
-Covering the fees of investigative editors and supervisors.
-Providing legal review by specialized lawyers before publication to ensure investigations comply with applicable laws.
-Offering legal assistance to journalists if legal issues arise following publication.
-Translating investigations and supporting their publication across local, regional, and international media platforms.
NIRIJ receives its primary financial support from **International Media Support (IMS)**, alongside grants from other international donors. The network also implements joint projects with both international and local partner organizations.
Milestones and Achievements
NIRIJ was established on **9 May 2011** by experienced investigative journalists who had previously produced investigations for regional and international media organizations. The founding members are:
Mohammed Al-Rubaie, Saman Noah, Dlovan Barwari, Muwaffaq Mohammed, Khader Domli, Dana Asaad, Mayada Dawood, Koral Nouri, Basim Francis Hanna, Khulood Al-Amiri, Ammar Al-Salih, and Ali Al-Ghazi.
The network produces investigations in both Arabic and Kurdish, publishing them through international and Iraqi media outlets—including Al-Hayat (London), Daraj, numerous Iraqi newspapers and websites, and on its own website. Selected investigations are translated into English.
Within only a few years, NIRIJ won more than ten regional and international journalism awards for investigations addressing corruption, poor governance, social issues, security, and economic affairs. These recognitions include awards from the Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) conferences as well as other regional and international competitions.
Today, NIRIJ brings together approximately 20 professional journalists from across Iraq who produce investigations covering a wide range of public interest issues.
Recognizing the close connection between Iraqi and Syrian security, humanitarian, social, and political developments, NIRIJ expanded part of its work into Syria in 2018. Since then, Syrian journalists supported by the network have produced investigations and in-depth reports from areas under both opposition (Arab and Kurdish) control and Syrian government-controlled territories.
With support from the French Embassy, the German Media Academy, and International Media Support (IMS), NIRIJ has implemented numerous projects with Iraqi journalism schools and media institutions. These initiatives have trained university faculty, students, and journalists in investigative reporting, in-depth journalism, and feature writing, helping introduce investigative journalism into Iraqi universities where it had previously been largely absent.
The network currently collaborates with ten Iraqi universities, providing investigative journalism training both on and off campus.
NIRIJ has also produced several publications that serve as training resources for media organizations and universities. These include:
The Investigative Journalism Training Guide (available in Arabic and Kurdish and taught in several Iraqi universities)
The Legal Guide for Journalists
Practical guides on crisis reporting and reporting on internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and survivors of violence
Lessons from the Experience of War and Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Media and Peacebuilding
Television Investigative Journalism
NIRIJ Team
Editorial & Publishing
Nawzat Shamdin
nawzat@nirij.org
Editorial Supervision & Training
Saman Noah
saman@nirij.org
Dlovan Barwari
Administration
Nawroz Sinjari
Hanan Salim
Funding
As an organization dedicated to investigative and in-depth journalism, NIRIJ sustains its work through support from international organizations committed to strengthening independent media. Its principal donors include International Media Support (IMS), CFI – Agence Française de Développement Médias, and the European Endowment for Democracy (EED). NIRIJ also develops joint production partnerships with organizations such as Meedan and MiCT.