Against a global backdrop of rising public demand for accountable, in-depth reporting, the newsroom of Greater Belize Media’s News 5 has completed a targeted two-day skills-building workshop to elevate its investigative journalism capacity.
Hosted by veteran award-winning Canadian journalist Cecil Rosner, who currently serves as managing editor of the Investigative Journalism Foundation, the workshop brought together reporters, editors, digital content specialists and newsroom leadership to refine core investigative practices. The training initiative was made possible through a Trainer Grant from the Public Media Alliance, a component of the organization’s Global Grants programme that receives financial backing from the Grace Wyndham Goldie (BBC) Trust Fund.
Unlike generic journalism training, the workshop focused heavily on hands-on, practical skills tailored to the realities of 21st-century reporting. Curriculum modules covered cutting-edge open-source intelligence gathering methods, protocols for accessing and analyzing public government records, ethical frameworks for integrating artificial intelligence into investigative work, advanced interviewing techniques, and narrative strategies for crafting compelling, impactful stories. Attendees also engaged in deep discussions about the complex legal and ethical dilemmas that investigative journalists frequently encounter when pursuing accountability reporting.
Marleni Cuellar, CEO of Great Belize Productions Ltd., which operates News 5, framed the training as a direct response to shifting audience expectations. Today’s news consumers do not settle for quick daily headlines, Cuellar explained: “Audiences globally are demanding more of their local newsrooms, not just answers from those in power, but the fuller picture: the context, the consequences, and the impact and relevance of each story on their lives. Belizeans are no different.”
News Editor Isani Cayetano emphasized that the workshop comes at a critical turning point for Belize’s journalism sector. Local newsrooms across the country face mounting pressure to produce more in-depth reporting even as they operate with constrained resources and increasingly tight production deadlines. “The programme strengthens our capacity to dig deeper, ask tougher questions, and follow stories beyond the surface, journalistic skills that are essential in holding power to account and serving the public interest,” Cayetano said.
For Digital Editor Hipolito Novelo, the training reinforces the News 5 newsroom’s longstanding commitment to moving beyond superficial, surface-level coverage. “Strong investigative reporting is built on persistence, verification and context. This training gave our team valuable tools to strengthen those areas while adapting to the realities of modern journalism. Ultimately, it helps us tell more meaningful stories and better serve the Belizean public,” Novelo added.
Rosner, the workshop lead, drew on more than four decades of cross-platform journalism experience spanning print, broadcast and digital media to lead the sessions. Throughout his decades-long career, Rosner has built a reputation for unpacking complex, underreported stories and training new generations of investigative journalists across the globe.