Damascus University’s Faculty of Media and the Syrian Investigative Reporting for Accountability Journalism (SIRAJ) signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in investigative journalism training. The agreement aims to provide students with applied knowledge and modern tools aligned with international standards in investigative reporting and fact-checking, better preparing them for the media job market.
The memorandum was signed by Damascus University President Dr. Mustafa al-Dahr and SIRAJ General Manager Ali al-Ibrahim. It focuses on supporting a new generation of Syrian journalists by transferring professional expertise and developing practical skills in investigative reporting, digital documentation, and data analysis. The partnership seeks to equip students with the resources and competencies needed to conduct rigorous investigations on issues of public interest.
Developing Skills in Investigative Journalism
The agreement includes the implementation of free training and applied programs, featuring annual workshops on producing investigative reports, information verification methodologies, and digital and open-source analysis tools. These activities will be supervised by SIRAJ-certified trainers with regional and international experience.
The cooperation also covers open lectures on modern investigative journalism approaches, introductory sessions on investigative fundamentals prior to academic specialization, and a joint professional fellowship program. Through this program, SIRAJ will offer six-month fellowships to selected outstanding students, enabling them to work within real investigative teams and gain hands-on experience facilitating their entry into the media labor market.
Memorandum Renewed Annually
Dean of the Faculty of Media at Damascus University, Dr. Khalid Zarour, confirmed the memorandum is renewed annually and that all training programs will be provided free of charge. He highlighted the importance of offering students six months of comprehensive practical training in investigative journalism, noting SIRAJ’s extensive experience and international standing in the field.
Zarour pointed out that SIRAJ has produced investigative reports referenced by the UN Security Council, contributed to sanctions against the former Assad regime, and played a key role in uncovering facts through professional investigative methods.
Bridging Academia and the Job Market
For his part, Ibrahim stated that SIRAJ is currently the first and only investigative journalism unit in Syria. He explained that the initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic education and the practical requirements of the job market by helping train a new generation of investigative journalists to address the shortage in this specialized field.
SIRAJ is a pioneering organization dedicated to investigative journalism and accountability in Syria, with branches in several European countries. It is a member of the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).
