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BIRN Bulgaria

BIRN Bulgaria: Judiciary Project Underway

Sofia, March 1 2006

01 03 2006  In March BIRN Bulgaria began its Judiciary Project, a three-month-long training program that will culminate in a series of articles about Bulgaria's legal system

In March BIRN Bulgaria began its Judiciary Project, a three-month-long training program that will culminate in a series of articles about Bulgaria's legal system, the area of government most often seen as the country's greatest liability in its bid for EU membership. For the seminar, six reporters from BIRN and Bulgaria's top daily newspapers and media outlets are writing stories on issues ranging from the liberalization of the country's car insurance industry — long viewed as dominated by organized crime — to shoddy evidence collection in criminal investigations.

The journalists are Lyubomira Budakova of the weekly magazine Tema, BIRN contributor Boryana Dzhambazova, Krasen Nikolov of the online news service Mediapool and daily newspaper reporters Velislava Panova of Novinar, Albena Pino of Dnevnik and Desislava Popova of Politika.

Some of the journalists are just embarking on their careers. Most have a few years experience. While some have covered Bulgarian courts or conducted investigations, none have brought to bear a full-range of analytical tools for in-depth reportage on legal issues.

BIRN Country Director Albena Shkodrova and trainer John Dyer are overseeing the journalists' reporting and writing. From 16 to 18 April, New York Times writer Janon Fisher will discuss coverage of legal issues in America and workshop the reporters' stories, while Bulgarian judges and legal experts will address reporters on issues facing the Bulgarian judiciary.

The reporters have met with trainer John Dyer three times, twice as a group and once for one-on-one meetings.

Thursday 30.3

Reporters determined their respective stories, with the goal of contacting at least five sources for each story.

Lyubomira Budakova: Car insurance/car theft and the record of the "High Judicial Council" — the body that elects the prosecutor — on enforcing decisions regarding corruption.

Boryana Dzhambazova: Small Crimes & Quality of Life Issues/Ombudsman

Krasen Nikolov: The First 100 Days of the New Prosecutor & Problems in theNational Investigative Service

Velislava Panova: The Role of Judges in Judicial Reform & Human Trafficking in Bulgaria

Albena Pino: Problems in Collecting Evidence & Does Probation Work?

Desislava Popova: "Major killings" and how the authorities have been ineffective in protecting Bulgaria's ancient treasures from looting.

Thursday 6.4
Reporters discussed their progress with contacting sources and narrowed story ideas. The discussion highlighted the difference between a straight news story and analysis. Most reporters operate on a daily schedule, whereas BIRN's project calls for more sources, more documentation and, finally, writing that produces narrative, not "he said/she said" journalism.

A short lesson in English usage — the importance of subject/verb/object — was followed by discussions on leads and nut graphs, with an eye toward reporters having leads and nut graphs in mind by the end of the week.

The reporters were also tasked with beginning the process of finding info about their stories in EU databases.

Week of 10 to 12 April

Reporters met individually with trainer, with discussions focusing on sources, interview techniques and time management skills.

With a 14 April deadline looming for first drafts of stories — in expectation of New York Times reporter Janon Fisher's workshop — reporters brainstormed on how to reach sources, develop analysis and manage one's time when working with BIRN and at a daily newspaper.

International liability and other topics will be covered in future meetings.

Schedule of the coming workshop

For more information on this project, contact Albena Shkodrova on albena@birn.eu.com.