On March 12th, at MOMus-Thessaloniki Museum of Photography, the Agora Talk titled "Seeing Is No Longer Believing: Why Investigative Docs Matter More Than Ever" took place, exploring why in an era of rapid information dissemination, with scarce fact-checking mechanisms, investigative documentaries are more urgent and necessary than ever.
Brigid O'Shea, Director & International Consultant at the Documentary Association of Europe (DAE), welcomed the audience, highlighting the often unreliable nature of the media and the growing distrust among audiences. The speakers provided insight into their journeys into investigative journalism, while sharing some details about the tools they use for research. Jake Tacchi, producer at BBC Eye Investigations, showcased a BBC documentary that identified a police officer who assaulted three female protesters during an anti-war demonstration in Moscow. Corina Petridi, journalist & Data Editor at Solomon, presented an interactive map published by Solomon, detailing the business activities of Greece's largest media owners. Giorgos Christides, investigative Journalist at NDR, Guardian, and Solomon, introduced a collaborative investigation with other journalistic organizations that exposed Frontex's involvement in illegal pushbacks in the Aegean Sea.
The speakers noted that nowadays the public demands more substantial evidence than a simple mention to “undisclosed sources”. Despite changes in media consumption, all three agreed that audiences remain engaged with long-format content and are "thirsty" for quality journalism. The discussion also explored the distinction between current affairs documentaries and investigative documentaries. Giorgos Christides argued that now is not the time to reduce journalistic efforts but rather to produce more high-quality journalism and underscored the public’s declining trust in the media while reaffirming the importance of organizations that support investigative journalism. Corina Petridi reiterated that younger audiences are fully capable of engaging with long-form content, as evidenced by their enthusiasm for Solomon’s in-depth investigative work. It was also noted that the media must rethink its narrative techniques, striving to present stories in ways that would captivate even their own creators as readers.
The discussion concluded with an interactive Q&A session. Among the key takeaways was the acknowledgment that documentaries play a crucial role in legal and public discourse, also serving as a means of justice and vindication for victims, reinforcing their indispensable role in today's media landscape.
You can watch the entire talk HERE.
