Investigative Journalism Network

Since 2017, the EBU’s Investigative Journalism Network (IJN) has incorporated reporters from across the EBU membership to collaborate on impactful cross-border investigations. Their work has been republished widely and nominated for international awards.

The Network’s mission is to strengthen public service journalism by connecting reporters across Europe, enabling them to share intelligence, amplify impact, and collaborate on stories with pan-European significance. It also offers workshops, both virtual and in-person, and fosters peer exchange on common challenges, best practices, and story development.

In October 2024, a Network-wide workshop in Vilnius, hosted by LRT, gathered 33 journalists from 15 organisations to pitch and initiate new collaborative investigations.

The Missing Children of Ukraine
Published in early 2023, this in-depth investigation exposed the forced transfer of hundreds of Ukrainian children to Russia. Initially shared among core IJN members, it was later distributed via Eurovision News Exchange, relayed more than 1,000 times by 87 channels from 40 EBU Members, and shortlisted for the IJ4EU Impact Award.

Russification in Occupied Ukraine
This story revealed how Russia imposed coercive assimilation policies in illegally annexed Ukrainian territories. Based on eyewitness accounts, expert input, and social media evidence, it detailed torture, deportation, and indoctrination. It was broadcast over 800 times by 36 channels from 16 Members and shortlisted for the Press Gazette’s Future of Media Awards.

Nord Stream Pipeline Explosion
In May 2023, the IJN facilitated the distribution of an investigation led by DR, NRK, SVT, and Yle into the Nord Stream sabotage. The findings were shared on more than 50 channels linked to 30 member organizations.

Who Owns European Football?
Released in June 2024, this investigation explored how foreign investment and multi-club ownership are reshaping European football. Produced by journalists from RTBF, RTVE, RSI, ZDF and the EBU, it mapped financial flows and ownership structures, highlighting how business interests now dominate the sport at the expense of fairness and integrity.

Playing with Fire: Are Russia’s Hybrid Attacks the New European War?
Published in March 2025, this was IJN’s largest collaboration to date. Journalists from 10 countries documented at least 60 instances of Russian hybrid warfare, such as arson, cyberattacks, sabotage, and more. Drawing on OSINT, interviews, and undercover work, the investigation exposed the breadth of covert Russian tactics across Europe.

The Investigative Journalism Network is coordinated by a Steering Committee that reports to the EBU News Committee.