Uğur Mumcu Investigative Journalism Foundation – um:ag (Uğur Mumcu Araştırmacı Gazetecilik Vakfı) has been working to strengthen independent, ethical and investigative journalism in Türkiye since 1994. Through journalism training, public events and cultural programmes, the Foundation supports press freedom and the next generation of journalists.
With our £10,000 grant, jointly funded by our Donor-Advised Grants and the Dr Hülya Karadoğan Fund, um:ag is implementing the Journalists Platform: Visual Storytelling and Capacity-Building Project to strengthen the digital storytelling skills of independent journalists.
In this interview, um:ag discusses the challenges facing independent journalism, the growing importance of digital storytelling, and how the project is helping journalists build new skills and stronger networks.
Can you tell us about the mission of the Uğur Mumcu Investigative Journalism Foundation (um:ag) and your work?
Uğur Mumcu Investigative Journalism Foundation (um:ag) was established in 1994 to honour the legacy of investigative journalist and writer Uğur Mumcu, who was assassinated in a car bombing in 1993. Our mission is to strengthen investigative journalism, freedom of expression, the rule of law, democratic values and the public interest. We see Uğur Mumcu’s legacy not only as something to preserve, but as a living responsibility that continues to shape the fight for truth and democracy today.
Since our establishment, we have viewed journalism as more than a profession. It is a cornerstone of democracy that enables public access to information, accountability and informed public debate. Since 1996, our Investigative Journalism Course has trained young journalists and journalism students in research methods, source verification, document analysis, ethical reporting and public interest journalism.
Alongside our training programmes, we organise seminars, panel discussions, exhibitions, film screenings and cultural events, creating a vibrant space for dialogue in Ankara. Every year, our Justice and Democracy Week brings together civil society organisations, journalists, academics, lawyers, artists and citizens to reflect on democracy, justice and freedom of expression.
Our work aims to keep collective memory alive, encourage critical thinking and inspire new generations of investigative journalists. As one of only two organisations from Türkiye admitted to the Global Investigative Journalism Network in 2018, we are proud to contribute to the international investigative journalism community.
We see Uğur Mumcu’s legacy not only as something to preserve, but as a living responsibility that continues to shape the fight for truth and democracy today.
What are the main challenges independent journalists face when producing content in the digital space? Why are visual storytelling and digital communication skills becoming increasingly important?
Independent journalists today face both structural and technical challenges. Limited financial resources, insecure working conditions and the pressure to maintain editorial independence are compounded by rapidly changing digital platforms, social media algorithms and the spread of disinformation.
Producing quality journalism is no longer enough on its own. Journalists also need to ensure their work is accessible, engaging and visible across digital platforms. In an online environment where attention spans are short and algorithms often favour highly engaging content over high-quality reporting, strong storytelling skills have become essential.
Visual storytelling helps make complex issues easier to understand without oversimplifying them. Short videos, graphics, subtitles and other digital formats enable important public interest stories to reach wider audiences. The challenge is not simply to produce attractive content, but to communicate accurate, well-researched journalism while remaining faithful to journalistic principles.
The challenge is not simply to produce attractive content, but to communicate accurate, well-researched journalism while remaining faithful to journalistic principles.
Can you tell us about the Journalists’ Platform: Visual Storytelling and Capacity-Building project, implemented with our grant support?
The project was designed to strengthen the digital production skills of independent journalists while enhancing the long-term content capacity of the Journalists’ Platform.
Running over six months, the project has two main components. The first focuses on producing four to six short videos that present issues of public interest in accessible, engaging formats suitable for digital platforms. These will be published across the Platform’s online channels.
The second component consists of online workshops covering news writing, fact-checking, digital storytelling, visual communication and content production for social media. The workshops are aimed at independent and early-career journalists, journalism students, local media producers and, in particular, women journalists.
The strong interest in the workshops has highlighted the growing demand for these skills among young journalists. The first video produced through the project focuses on the ongoing UMUT trial, explaining its significance while highlighting the Foundation’s connection to the case.
Beyond producing videos and workshops, the project is helping us establish a sustainable editorial workflow and a repeatable model for digital content production that will continue to benefit the Journalists’ Platform after the project ends.
Independent journalism depends not only on the ability to produce quality reporting but also on strong networks of collaboration.
The project aims not only to strengthen technical skills but also to foster collaboration and professional development among journalists. What role do you think these kinds of capacity-building initiatives play in the sustainability and impact of independent journalism?
Independent journalism depends not only on the ability to produce quality reporting but also on strong networks of collaboration. Journalists need spaces where they can learn from one another, exchange experiences, discuss common challenges and explore new tools together. Many independent journalists work with limited resources or in small teams, making these opportunities especially valuable.
Capacity-building initiatives help journalists develop practical skills, from visual storytelling to communicating more effectively across digital platforms, allowing them to reach wider audiences without compromising the quality of their reporting.
Just as importantly, they create lasting professional networks built on trust and shared learning. Knowing that others face similar challenges strengthens resilience and reinforces a sense of solidarity within the profession.
The long-term sustainability of independent journalism depends on more than financial resources. It also requires knowledge, skills, visibility and collaboration. At a time when disinformation is widespread and public trust in news is declining, enabling independent journalists to produce accessible, verified reporting is more important than ever.
Supporting um:ag is about more than sustaining the work of a single organisation. It is an investment in the public’s right to reliable information, freedom of expression and a more democratic future.
How would you describe the impact of your organisation to people considering supporting your work?
Supporting um:ag means helping to carry forward Uğur Mumcu’s legacy while strengthening independent journalism and democratic culture in Türkiye.
Since 1994, the Foundation has brought together journalists, journalism students, academics, lawyers, artists, human rights defenders and members of the public through training programmes, publications, discussions and cultural events.
The impact of our work is perhaps most visible in the experiences of our participants. Many graduates of our investigative journalism courses tell us that the programme played a defining role in their professional development. Beyond technical skills, they gained a stronger ethical perspective, learned how to ask better questions and deepened their understanding of journalism’s responsibility to society.
We have seen a similar response through this project. The high level of interest in our online workshops demonstrates how urgently young journalists are seeking opportunities to strengthen their digital journalism skills. Participants were interested not only in learning how to produce videos, but also in exploring how public interest journalism can be communicated effectively in the digital age.
Every contribution helps us reach more young journalists, students and communities through training, digital content and public events. Supporting um:ag is about more than sustaining the work of a single organisation. It is an investment in the public’s right to reliable information, freedom of expression and a more democratic future.
