International Consortium Adds 15 Investigative Journalists

Introduction

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists has added 15 new reporters to its roster of more than 100 journalists in 50 countries. ICIJ is the international arm of the Center for Public Integrity, one of the country’s oldest and largest investigative news organizations.

The new members are based in 13 countries across three continents and represent decades of diverse journalism experience — from data specialists to freelancers and investigative editors. Recent projects by these new members include an extensive examination of the lack of treatment for U.S. soldiers injured in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, international bribery cases, and reports on corruption, organized crime and human rights abuses.

“I am extremely pleased to announce the addition of these 15 new reporters to ICIJ,” said Center for Public Integrity Executive Director William E. Buzenberg. “They represent some of the most accomplished and dedicated investigative journalists in the world, and they bring new energy and ideas to our global cross-border investigations which often have major impact worldwide.”

The new ICIJ members are:

• Helena Bengtsson (Sweden) database editor for the news and current affairs department at Sveriges Television
• Alejandra Xanic von Bertrab (Mexico) freelance journalist
• Mar Cabra (Spain) multimedia investigative journalist
• Carlos Dada (El Salvador) founder and director of the news website El Faro
• David Donald (United States) data editor at the Center for Public Integrity
• Carlos Eduardo Huertas (Colombia) investigations editor at Semana magazine
• Vlad Lavrov (Ukraine) staff writer at Kyiv Post
• Hugo Alconada Mon (Argentina) deputy managing editor at La Nación
• Miranda Patrucić (Bosnia) systems manager at the Center for Investigative Reporting
• Arturo Torres Ramirez (Ecuador) research editor at El Comercio
• Susanne Reber (Canada/United States) deputy managing editor of investigations at NPR
• Mabel Rehnfeldt (Paraguay) investigative reporter and editor at ABC Digital – ABC Color
• Marcos Garcia Rey (Spain) freelance reporter
• Ernesto Rivera (Costa Rica) investigative unit staff writer at La Nación
• Giannina Segnini (Costa Rica) investigative editor at La Nación

Recent ICIJ projects have been recognized by numerous journalism awards, and ICIJ stories are cited and published by hundreds of international media outlets. The ICIJ project Dangers in the Dust: Inside the Global Asbestos Trade, won Columbia University’s 2011 John B. Oakes Award for Distinguished Environmental Journalism and a medal from Investigative Reporters and Editors. Looting the Seas: How Overfishing, Fraud and Negligence Plundered the Majestic Bluefin Tuna, won the 2011 Overseas Press Club’s Whitman Bassow Award for reporting on international environmental issues as well as the 2011 Investigative Reporters and Editors’ Tom Renner Award.

In June, the Center for Public Integrity announced that Gerard Ryle, currently deputy editor of The Canberra Times in Australia, will be the new ICIJ director. Ryle will begin work at ICIJ in early September.