Member Spotlight: Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ)

Mission and Approach

Founded in 2005 and operating across the MENA region, ARIJ’s mission is to support and empower a connected ecosystem of investigative journalists and fact-checkers. In a context marked by authoritarian crackdowns, shrinking online spaces, and the weaponisation of misinformation, ARIJ equips journalists with the skills, tools, and resilience to continue their critical work.

Guided by the core values of accuracy, accountability, independence, impartiality, and humanity, ARIJ’s approach focuses on three pillars:

• Empowerment: Training journalists, fact-checkers, media lawyers, and educators to navigate complex reporting environments.
• Networking: Building regional and international connections to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
• Innovation: Continuously adapting reporting, training, and networking methods to meet emerging challenges in journalism.

Through this approach, ARIJ strengthens investigative journalism across the Arab world, amplifying voices that might otherwise remain unheard.

Recent Achievements

2025 marks ARIJ’s 20th anniversary, a milestone celebrating nearly two decades of impactful work. Over this time, ARIJ has:

• Trained over 10,000 journalists, fact-checkers, media lawyers, and educators.
• Published its 1,000th investigation.
• Received over 50 local, regional, and international awards in the past five years alone.
• Collaborating with 60+ publishing outlets, 30+ fact-checking organisations, and 70+ universities, ARIJ ensures its work reaches wide audiences and builds a resilient journalism ecosystem.

This year, ARIJ launched its 2025–2030 Strategy, presented in written form and as an English AI-generated podcast, outlining its future goals and inviting collaboration with partners across the region. Looking ahead, the 18th Annual Forum (Dec 5–7, 2025, in Amman, Jordan) will unite journalists, trainers, media experts, and supporters of independent media under the theme “Rise to the Challenge.”

Rawan Damen, ARIJ Director General, speaking at ARIJ 16th Annual Forum ( Amman, Jordan 1-3 December 2023)

Impact on Communities and the Media Landscape

ARIJ’s investigations have real-world consequences, influencing policy, holding authorities accountable, and addressing critical social issues. In 2024 alone, several investigations produced measurable impacts:

• “The Kalamata Trap” – Criminal prosecutions of 17 Hellenic Coast Guard members.
• “A Bloody Route Through Libya” – Prompted Syrian Wings Airlines to be re-listed on the EU sanctions list.
• “Time Bombs” – Led Yemen’s Ministry of Culture to remove illegally monopolised generators in Sana’a’s Old City.
• “Yemeni Gulag in Russia” – Resulted in U.S. Treasury designations of key individuals and companies as terrorism supporters.
• “The Graveyards of ‘Unknown Women” – Sparked calls for legal reform and protections for women and girls in Iraq.

Beyond individual investigations, ARIJ’s work strengthens media institutions, encourages policy shifts, and fosters international recognition of human rights issues across the region.

Challenges and Strategic Approaches

This year, ARIJ faced significant funding cuts from U.S. sources, a disruption affecting independent journalism regionally and globally. In response, ARIJ has focused on:

• Diversifying funding sources through targeted grants and strategic partnerships.
• Exploring innovative revenue models to ensure sustainable support for journalists and fact-checkers.
• Building resilience by forging alliances and strengthening collaborative initiatives.
• Despite these pressures, ARIJ remains committed to empowering journalists and reinforcing the independent media ecosystem, even under the most challenging conditions.

Reflections on GFMD Membership

“Being part of GFMD reminds us that we are not working in isolation. Collaborating with peers across the globe strengthens our perspective, inspires innovation, and reinforces our commitment to supporting independent journalism, especially in times of war and uncertainty. We have been part of the GFMD community for several years and have collaborated on various initiatives, including donor meetings, which help plan strategically and strengthen sustainability. I’m also excited to officially join the Steering Committee starting November 2025 and look forward to contributing to its important work.”
— Rawan Damen, Director General, ARIJ

Connect with ARIJ

ARIJ welcomes partnerships, collaborations, and conversations with journalists, media organisations, and supporters of independent reporting across the Arab world.

📧 Rawan Damen, Director General: rawan@arij.net

🔗 Website: https://en.arij.net/

📱 Social Media:

• Bluesky: arijnetwork.bsky.social
• Instagram: ArijNetwork
• LinkedIn: ArijNetwork 
• YouTube:  @ARIJNetWork 

Stay tuned for more stories in our Member Spotlight series. If you’re a GFMD member and would like to be featured, please reach out to fnzigno@gfmd.info — we’d love to share your story with our global network.