Hello all, looking for investigative journalist help...

[shockedcanadian]

I have a question about "investigative journalism". I live in Canada and we essentially have no market or support for such initiatives. I have written two fictional books which I self published (a romance and a short story thriller) but I am now looking to publish an "expose", and I am seeking like minded organizations, in America, Canada or elsewhere, in which I can connect, share ideas and access resources.

Does anyone know of any such organizations or communities I can tap into?

Thanks for your time.

[Chan790]

1. I might have some ideas...

but what kind of help are you looking for?

I mean Indymedia, Mobile Broadcast News, Storify are good for getting your investigations out there.

Issuelab, despite being designed for NPOs, is a nearly bottomless resource-base of research that has been done on any number of subjects in the public interest. It's also handy in identifying experts and learned contacts on most subjects...as the people that originally wrote the research or studies you might be citing they have both a vested interest in your success (as it draws attention to their work) and a shared interest in your area of concern.

In terms of connections and sharing ideas, that's usually most easily done in an interest group or community corresponding to what you want to expose: if you're concerned about fracking, there are anti-fracking groups. Groundwater contamination...usually the same groups. Corruption in local politics...shit, you can't swing a stick in most towns without finding both corruption and the people vocally-opposing that corruption.

Writing groups? That one I don't know.

If you're talking financial resources...that's the million dollar question. You're probably out of pocket or seeing if you can get a potentially-interested publication to cover your expenses as a stringer or freelancer...but you're probably out of pocket and getting recouped at publication.

[shockedcanadian]

2. Thanks for that

Hey Chan790,

Thanks for the ideas I appreciate them, you are on the right track with some of your suggestions. Essentially I have been involved in an extremely troubling police circumstance that originated in Canada but has expanded to become an International issue due to the problems I had crossing the border (don't worry I am not a criminal, nor do I have a record), it is essentially a major violation of Human Rights; the type of violation that would surprise most in the Western world, certainly it would alter most Americans' perception of Canada as a fair, democratic, just and transparent nation. More specifically, I have granular details about how the police enforcement and legal system works in here when people are tried, convicted and essentially sentenced (via interference in their personal lives) in "secrecy" and without accountability.

I have reached out to a few agencies in Canada, and let me state right away Human Rights organizations are few and far between unless it is a very specific issue...legal, transparency, accountability and democratic issues are not addressed here, there are simply no organizations with the mandate or desire to raise funds to address them. Those agencies I had hoped would be of value are either nothing more than "grievance counsellors" ("wow, that's awful, sorry to hear that but there is nothing we can do here&quot , or, organizations that might listen to your issue on the surface but not really have any teeth to provide any impact though at first glance it may appear they might (Human Rights Commission, SIRC, Public Complaints against the RCMP etc.). So in the end, exploratory journalism that actually questions rather than coddles those in positions of power, documentaries of abuse in Canada, agencies to ensure accountability through media support and campaigning are almost non-existent except for the most narrow of violations as I suggested. It has in effect, kept Canadians on an island in which they are subjected to whatever happens, and noone is in their corner to listen and take action unless you can afford a million dollar lawyer.

So when I suggest support, I do not mean financial per se as I can self publish the entire story of the violations myself, though I would not disregard such possibilities in a partnership. I am referring more directly to "getting the word out there". Marketing and bringing attention to the story, soundboard agencies that listens to such issues regardless of their origin, again, due to the nature of the true story and those involved in this country (the security apparatus), gaining support is extremely difficult in Canada and thus I need to explore other nations; from the U.S to those in Europe, in order to buil some momentum and "encourage" accountability.

I hope that explains it in a little more detail. I have been running uphill for too long and I am at the point where it is time to commit more to this than I have in the past and it simply isn't viable in Canada.