I’m putting Help Me Investigate, my collaborative investigation project, on ice.
This year has seen the launch of a number of impressive crowdfunded and crowdsourced projects on platforms including Beacon and Contributoria – plus OpenCorporates Missions and the enormously impressive Bellingcat. Their rise, for me, confirms that there is no longer a need for the original mission that Help Me Investigate took on way back in 2009. Now I think it’s time to rip it up and start again.
In 2009 I wanted to ask a simple question: was it possible to do collaborative investigative journalism in a way that wasn’t a one-off?
I was lucky to build a great team including Nick Booth, Stef Lewandowski and Heather Brooke, and attract contributors like James Ball and Laura Oliver, who proved ‘Yes’, you could, within the first year.
Then we tried to share that learning in detail so others could build on it.
Amazingly, they did. The site has inspired to or contributed to similar initiatives in France, Russia, and elsewhere. Contributors and site editors have taken their skills into organisations including The Guardian, Reuters, and The Bureau of Investigative Journalism. This week two of them won awards. one won best new journalist of the year.
What next?
I don’t know what next. I know I’d like to do more with involving young people in holding power to account. I may not jettison the name entirely. And there’s the small matter of a general election next year, around which I already have some ideas.
If you would like to be involved in whatever project comes next, or just want to be alerted to it, please add your details here.
Meanwhile, if you are investigating something and need support, I am still happy to help where I can.
My hearing for filed and paid non-contentious Application at Chancery Division for STATUTORY Widowed Spouse financial support is delayed since 2011. They refuse to give an explanation.
No-one can deny access to the civil court. Someone of status seems to have made a mistake and is being protected. Thousand pages of enquiry at all relevant Govt. departments. All evasive. No replies to Freedom of Information requests. This affects the Public anywhere. This mistake is dangerous and unlawful. I am very well educated and can look after myself, but not when the Establishment is afraid to keep to its Process. If there were proper lawful responses, there would be no problem. I understand it all, but am obstructed from access to Parliament’s enactment. This is much in the interests of the Public to open up. The matter is widely observed. The Observers want answers. I wonder when they will be given? I shall be most grateful for your kind response.
Dear Mr Martin Rosenbaum,
I have been trying to get all the information related to a big man hunt carried out in 2006 but so far no joy. The scale of operation was as such that it had to be authorised by the Home Secretary at the time. Is this something you could help me with?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Arash Nikjoo