Description
Certification Name: Certified Investigative Journalist
Global Occupational Skill Standard – GOSS ID: GOSS/JPM/CIJ/V1
Eligibility: Graduation or Equivalent or minimum 2 years of relevant experience (experience-based learners can directly enroll and certify).
Objective: The Certified Investigative Journalist course is designed to equip participants with the advanced skills, tools, and ethical foundations required to uncover hidden truths, expose wrongdoing, and report in-depth on matters of public interest. The course covers investigative techniques such as source development, data analysis, document tracing, freedom of information (FOI) requests, undercover reporting, and legal risk management.
Certification: Within 5 days after Completion of Online Assessment.
Get ready to join the Journey to become a GSDCI Certified Professional – International Certification and Assessment Body.
Steps to become a GSDCI Certified Professional:
Step 1: Select your certification you want to pursue.
Step 2: Click on get certified tab, new pop up window will open.
Step 3: Click on pay certification fee, you will be redirected to billing details page.
Step 4: Fill your details and click on pay certification fee, You will be redirected to payment gateway, pay fee by any available options like Card(Debit/Credit), Wallet, Paytm, Net banking, UPI and Google pay.
Step 5: You will get Login Credentials of Online E-Books and Online assessment link on your email id, within 48 hrs of payment.
Step 6: After completion of online assessment, you can download your Certificate Immediately.
Assessment Modules:
Module 1: Introduction to Investigative Journalism: Definition and scope of investigative journalism, Differences between investigative, beat, and general reporting, Historical milestones and landmark investigations, Public interest and watchdog roles of investigative journalists, Key principles: accountability, depth, and evidence-based reporting, Ethics and integrity in investigative work.
Module 2: Planning and Researching Investigative Stories: Identifying investigative story ideas and red flags, Formulating hypotheses and story angles, Creating investigation timelines and scopes, Conducting background research and preliminary analysis, Using data, reports, and previous coverage as leads, Collaboration and team investigation planning.
Module 3: Source Development and Interviewing Techniques: Identifying, verifying, and cultivating confidential sources, Gaining trust and maintaining source protection, Legal and ethical considerations in using whistleblowers, Conducting deep, open-ended, and follow-up interviews, Using anonymous sourcing responsibly, Recording and documentation best practices.
Module 4: Document Analysis and Data Investigation: Accessing and analyzing public records, FOIA/RTI applications and usage, Financial documents, court filings, regulatory filings, and audits, Using spreadsheets and databases to trace patterns, Introduction to forensic accounting and investigative data tools, Organizing and cross-verifying large volumes of documents.
Module 5: Writing and Presenting Investigative Reports: Structuring long-form investigative stories, Using narrative techniques while maintaining accuracy, Presenting complex information clearly and impactfully, Integrating visuals, charts, and documents into the story, Pre-publication fact-checking and legal vetting, Ensuring clarity, fairness, and transparency in writing.
Module 6: Legal, Digital Safety, and Career Development: Understanding libel, defamation, and privacy laws, Digital security: protecting data, sources, and communications, Tools for anonymous browsing, encryption, and secure storage, Working under threats, pressure, or censorship, Freelance vs institutional investigative journalism roles, Building credibility, networks, and funding opportunities for projects.
GSDCI Online Assessment Detail:
- Duration- 60 minutes.
- Number of Questions- 30.
- Number of Questions from each module: 5.
- Language: English.
- Exam Type: Multiple Choice Questions.
- Maximum Marks- 100, Passing Marks- 50%.
- There is no negative marking in any module.
| Marking System: | |||
| S.No. | No. of Questions | Marks Each Question | Total Marks |
| 1 | 10 | 5 | 50 |
| 2 | 5 | 4 | 20 |
| 3 | 5 | 3 | 15 |
| 4 | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| 5 | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| 30 | 100 | ||
| How Students will be Graded: | |||
| S.No. | Marks | Grade | |
| 1 | 91-100 | O (Outstanding) | |
| 2 | 81-90 | A+ (Excellent) | |
| 3 | 71-80 | A (Very Good) | |
| 4 | 61-70 | B (Good) | |
| 5 | 50-60 | P (Pass) | |
| 6 | 0-49 | F (Fail) | |
Benefits of Certification:
🌍 1. Global Recognition & Credibility – Stand out worldwide with a certification that opens doors across borders. Trusted by employers, respected by institutions, and recognized in over 100 countries.
📜 2. Quality Assurance through ISO Certification – Certified to global ISO standards, our programs deliver excellence, consistency, and a benchmarked learning experience that speaks for itself.
💼 3. Career Advancement & Employability – Enhances your resume and increases chances of promotions or job offers.
🤝 4. Non-Profit Trust Factor – Certifications from non-profit organizations are mission-driven rather than profit-driven.
📚 5. Access to Verified Learning & Resources – Often includes e-books, mock tests, and online support without hidden costs.
🔍 6. Transparency & Online Verification – Certifications come with a unique Enrolment ID for easy online verification by employers and institutions.
⏳ 7. Lifetime or Long-Term Validity – Certifications usually have lifetime validity or long-term recognition, reducing the need for frequent renewals.
