Investigative journalism
Posts on and about investigative journalism.
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Khodayar Amini, Australia and asylum seekers, one year on
Khodayar would often listen to Ahmad Zahir's songs as he lay on his bed in Sydney. In 'Man Nagoyam' Ahmad Zahir sings about being like a caged bird that wants to be free. In Afghanistan, from 1996 to 2001, all musical instruments and music making bar the frame duff drum and religious singing had been banned by the Taliban. Khodayar ran from the Taliban after most of his family were killed. He ran from death as most humans would, to a place of perceived safety as most humans would. But he ran to Australia where he would end up feeling more caged and more in danger.
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Watch “How statistics can be misleading – Mark Liddell” on YouTube
Numeracy can be a stumbling block for journalists. For people used to working with words, it can be a struggle to figure out what statistics are saying and if they actually are hiding anything or misleading anyone. This TED Ed lesson is a good place to start with an explanation of Simpson’s Paradox.
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Scientology, R2-45s & my articles for 3rd Degree
It’s been a busy week. I have spent the last two weeks interviewing, researching and tracking down information on Scientology, suppressive persons and suppressive person declares (actual list here) and these little orders called R2-45s which basically refer to any Scientologist being able to shoot someone through the head with a .45 Colt Pistol for the sake of freeing that person’s soul or “thetan”. I have talked to Scientology representatives and breakaway members and to former members and people who protest against the Church of Scientology’s activities. The first two groups maintain that R2-45s are a joke despite it been listed as a means of dealing with people on some orders…