Media in Cooperation and Transition (MiCT) is implementing "Together We Report," a 15-month program empowering 15 female journalists across Iraq to expose critical issues through collaborative investigative journalism. Running from October 2024 to January 2026, this initiative is funded by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
Driving Real Change
Working in five teams, these journalists are breaking new ground by tackling investigations that individual reporters couldn't handle alone—uncovering environmental health hazards, cross-border trafficking networks, corruption in agricultural oversight, war remnant contamination, and public health crises that directly impact Iraqi communities.
The program has already achieved measurable results: participants demonstrated a 30% improvement in core journalism skills, and teams are successfully breaking gender barriers by investigating sensitive topics traditionally dominated by male journalists.
Proven Market Demand
When teams presented their investigations to media outlets, the response validated the program's approach: five established outlets—two regional and three local—immediately committed to partnerships, providing each team with dedicated editorial support and guaranteed publication platforms.
Sustainable Impact Model
Rather than one-off training, this program builds lasting capacity through collaborative methodology. Participants master trauma-informed interviewing, gender-responsive reporting, and investigative techniques that will serve their entire careers. The collaborative approach creates professional networks that extend far beyond the program's timeline.
Why This Matters
In Iraq's challenging media landscape, women journalists face significant barriers to covering serious issues. This program doesn't just train individuals—it's creating a new model for investigative journalism that pools resources, shares risks, and produces stories that would otherwise remain untold.
TThe investigations launching in late 2025 and early 2026 will expose issues affecting thousands of Iraqis while proving that strategic investment in women journalists delivers both immediate stories and long-term sector transformation.