Africa Investigates is a groundbreaking new series that puts flesh on Al Jazeera’s ambition to give voice to the voiceless. In a world first, this hard-hitting project gives some of Africa’s best journalists the opportunity to pursue high-level investigative targets across the continent - using their unique perspective and local knowledge to put corruption, exploitation and abuse under the spotlight.
All too often in the past, African reporters have not been able to pursue wrongdoing because it involves powerful figures who wield undue influence over local media - financial, corporate or political - or because it is simply too dangerous. Investigative journalism is a perilous profession in many African nations, where intimidation, beatings, imprisonment and death threats can be an occupational hazard. As a result they have often had to sit idly by while Africa’s story has been told by Western correspondents, “parachuted in” for the purpose, who reinforce stereotypical views about African peoples and their supposed inability to face up to and solve their own problems.
Now, determined to tell their own story, Africa Investigates reporters will correct that impression. Working undercover and using hidden cameras, they will expose elaborate frauds and criminal conspiracies, child trafficking, abuse of minorities and high level official corruption. And in the process they hope they will help make African institutions, businesses and politicians more accountable and susceptible to pressure to change things for the better.
Looong overdue. I applaud Aljazeera and these journalists.
