The Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) will host the October edition of its Journalism & Society Conversations on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, at 11:00 a.m. on X Spaces, themed “Investigative Journalism Today: Impact, Recognition and the Digital Shift.” Join the conversation on X Spaces: bit.ly/4yy0K3E
The conversation comes as WSCIJ opens entries for the 21st Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting (WSAIR), creating an opportunity to look beyond recognition and examine what gives investigative journalism value in a changing media environment.
The discussion will explore what makes investigative work valuable beyond winning an award, how excellence and impact should be understood, and how investigative storytelling is evolving across print, radio, television, digital platforms, podcasts and other forms of media. It will also consider whether changing audience habits and digital pressures are reshaping how investigations are conceived, produced, presented and recognised.
Dayo Ayietan, Executive Director, International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR); Chinelo Ozoalor, Assistant Director, News, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN); Mike Asukwo, Cartoon Editor, BusinessDay; Juliana Francis, Publisher, Security News Alert; and Samson Folarin, Editor, Weekend Titles, PUNCH Newspapers, will bring perspectives from investigative practice, broadcast journalism, visual storytelling, digital publishing and newsroom leadership to the conversation.
The panellists will examine the realities of sustaining investigations that require time, resources, access and follow-up; the place of traditional broadcast journalism as podcasts, digital video and other formats expand; and what different forms of storytelling can contribute to investigative work. They will also reflect on the role of editorial judgement in protecting depth, evidence, rigour and public interest amid growing pressure for speed, visibility and audience engagement.
The conversation will further ask what should be counted as investigative storytelling today and how excellence can be assessed across different formats. It will also consider whether an investigation can have significant public value even when its impact is not immediately visible, and whether the pursuit of visibility and recognition can influence the stories journalists choose to pursue.
The October Journalism & Society Conversations will also provide an opportunity for journalists and reporters to learn more about and apply for the 21st Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporting, with details on the call for entries, eligibility and submission process available on the WSCIJ website.
Join the conversation on X Spaces: bit.ly/4yy0K3E
