On 3 September 2007, the first-ever investigative journalism summit will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Organized by the Forum for African Investigative Reporters (FAIR), the summit is to gather media professionals from across the continent to brainstorm on digging into some of the day’s most compelling issues.

Participants at the summit will discuss investigating issues including social spendings, exploitation by multinationals, and human rights violations by the courts. Other topics include the obstacles faced by investigative journalists, including lack of access to information, publishing possibilities and editorial support. There are also plans to launch a new manual for investigative journalists.

Participants will gain access to the FAIR Transnational Investigation team’s 2007 report, “Sickening Africa: Lack of access to medication and the role of the pharmaceutical industry.”

The summit coincides with the Power Reporting Conference being organized by the University of Witwatersrand’s Investigative Journalism Workshop.

For more information and program details, contact FAIR at facilitator@fairreporters.org or fair.reporters@hotmail.com.