Center for Investigative Journalism of Serbia

CIJS investigates organized crime, politics, business, frauds, energy, environment, corruption, judiciary, sports and other important parts of society. Although CIJS has capacity for investigating a relatively small number of issues, it focuses on those that have the greatest impact on the lives of as many Serbian citizens as possible. CIJS also uses every opportunity to investigate issues that are not of national importance, but local media do not investigate them and national media are disinterested in such issues. The influence on the society is a key criterion for CIJS when choosing topics to investigate.   HISTORY The Center for Investigative Journalism of Serbia was founded in 2007, as a section of the Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia. In 2012 CIJS became an independent legal entity and is registered as a foundation with the Serbian Business Registers Agency. Since its establishment, CIJS conducted numerous investigative and educational projects and published several tens of investigative stories. Mission: Center for Investigative Journalism of Serbia - CIJS (Centar za istraživačko novinarstvo Srbije - CINS) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to investigative journalism according to the internationally recognized standards, including the use of new tools and techniques. Their goal is to continuously offer to the Serbian citizens important facts about Serbian society that were hidden or unknown prior to their investigations. CIJS hopes to help citizens reach informed decisions in this manner. Center for Investigative Journalism of Serbia was founded by the Independent Journalists' Association of Serbia with the aim to show that independent journalism in line with the highest professional standards is possible in Serbia. CIJS is funded by donations in order to avoid the influence of funding sources originating from business and politics that have been controlling the content of some commercial media in Serbia rendering their social role meaningless. CIJS supports the inclusion of vulnerable groups and the equality of all Serbian citizens, regardless of their gender, race, national, religious or political affiliation and other diversities. CIJS also supports the right of citizens to transparency of the work of public bodies and the right to be informed about all the facts important for their society.   GOALS: Promotion of independent, responsible and professional journalism and the respect of high and internationally recognized standards in journalism; Production and publishing of investigative media content on CIJS web site and in other local and international media; Education of journalists and editors in Serbia in hands-on skills of investigative journalism; Providing opportunity for journalists, particularly young ones, and the citizens in general to apply the skills and techniques of investigative journalism in order to expose important facts to the Serbian public; Cooperation with similar organizations, other media and media organizations in Serbia, the region of South East Europe and internationally, including cross-border investigative projects; Cooperation with non-governmental organizations in Serbia and abroad.   Long term goals: To contribute to the presence and advancement of independent journalism in Serbia; To identify problems in Serbia and offer solutions; To educate citizens of Serbia about the importance of professional and responsible journalism; To contribute to the public discourse and civil society by publishing fair and honest investigations on topics of interest for the citizens of Serbia, regardless of ownership or political interests.