Backlight

Rethinking journalism awards

Everyone loves to win awards. But what does it mean to reward good journalism? In the latest Backlight episode, Beatriz and Tessa speak to Jennifer Athanasiou-Prins, executive director of the European Press Prize, and Patrick Boehler, founder of the Gazzetta research lab, aboutThe influence of awards on journalismThe pitfalls of award categories How awards can be reimagined to value journalism that serves the public interestHosts: Beatriz Ramalho da Silva, Tessa PangSound editing and design: Elli Xypolitaki / SpoovioWebsite - X - BlueSky - Instagram - and you can email us at backlight@lighthousereports.com

How to report on Sudan w/ Aziz Alnour & Sabrina Slipchenko

People in Sudan are facing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Telling stories about what is happening on the ground has never been more urgent, or more challenging. In the context of our latest investigation exposing ethnically motivated atrocities against civilians by the Sudanese Armed Forces, Beatriz and Tessa speak to Lighthouse editor Aziz Alnour and digital reporter Sabrina Slipchenko aboutThe challenges of reporting on Sudan and how we overcame themHow we gather and verify open source evidence, and how we conducted on-the-ground interviews with survivorsHow the work can increase public attention on Sudan, contribute to international accountability and achieve justice for survivors.Investigations mentioned: The Kanabi KillingsThe Killing Fields of Al FashirHosts: Beatriz Ramalho da Silva, Tessa PangSound editing and design: Elli Xypolitaki / SpoovioWebsite - X - BlueSky - Instagram - and you can email us at backlight@lighthousereports.com

How to make an investigative podcast (Live from GIJC 2025)

Reporting live from the world’s biggest investigative journalism conference in Malaysia last year, Tessa and Beatriz bring you a crash course on how to make an investigative podcast. Covering everything from identifying a good story, to constructing an intriguing narrative, and building good characters. We take you inside The Global Investigative Journalism Conference with some behind-the-scenes audio and Beatriz’s first try of the world’s smelliest fruit.Guests featured in this episode:Susanne Reber, Founder and Executive Producer, Piz Gloria ProductionsSue-Lin Wong, Asia Correspondent, The EconomistRoby Alampay, Founder, PumaPodcastHosts: Beatriz Ramalho da Silva, Tessa PangSound editing and design: Spoovio - Audiovisual Productions Website - X - BlueSky - Instagram - and you can email us at backlight@lighthousereports.com

How to become an undercover reporter

You’ve seen it in movies, but what does undercover reporting actually look like in real life?In this episode of Backlight, we go behind the scenes of two undercover investigations and explain everything you need to know: from how to build your cover identity to what planning an undercover operation really looks like. Beatriz and Tessa talk to their Lighthouse colleagues, Crofton Black and Emmanuel Freudenthal, about their recent undercover investigation, Surveillance Secrets. They walk us through the creation of their character, a shady businessman named Albert, and the prep work in their back office before the big day. Next, they speak with Jean Peters, a senior reporter at Correctiv, about how he infiltrated a secret meeting with neo-Nazis and members of Germany’s far-right party, AfD. He talked us through the process of creating a fake persona while his colleagues followed him from a sauna boat. Finally, they speak to Veena Holkar, director of the non-profit organisation, Wildlight, who explained why it’s crucial to master your gear before going undercover and why women often make the best undercover reporters.Investigations mentioned: Surveillance Secrets Secret plan against GermanyWildlightHosts: Beatriz Ramalho da Silva, Tessa PangSound editing and design: Spoovio - Audiovisual Productions Website - X - BlueSky - Instagram - and you can email us at backlight@lighthousereports.com

Journalism in a Free Syria

What is the role of accountability journalism in post-Assad Syria? We explore this question with Syrian journalists Lighthouse digital investigator Bashar Deeb and investigative journalist Mais Katt, who talk about their first investigation in a newly free Syria. Under the Assad regime, hundreds of Syrian children were hidden in orphanages to extort their parents. A major international charity knew, but kept silent. Beatriz and Tessa speak with Bashar and Mais about the experience of reporting from Syria for the first time in 14 years and what it means to uncover injustice in a country still healing from dictatorship. We discuss the story’s impact and how the reporting empowered the families still searching for their children and for justice and accountability. They also speak with Lighthouse Senior Editor, Charlotte Alfred, who explains how this cross-border collaboration came together and why international partnerships remain vital for accountability journalism in Syria.Investigations mentioned: Syria’s Stolen Children Hosts: Beatriz Ramalho da Silva, Tessa PangSound editing and design: Spoovio - Audiovisual Productions Website - X - BlueSky - Instagram - and you can email us at backlight@lighthousereports.com