Season 4, Episode 3: Investigative journalism is the lifeblood of media, but it is also the most expensive element of any media operation. Yet even as resources to produce investigations dwindle, journalists in Africa continue to dedicate themselves to in-depth reporting into the most serious issues on the continent. Donor-funded investigative centres or platforms have been created to fill in the gaps of legacy media, which often struggle to support this kind of journalism. But are these centres stripping the media companies of their investigative talents, or are they filling badly needed holes? And how hard is it to actually get the job done?

In this episode:

• Naipanoi Lepapa, freelance investigative journalist, Kenya
• Sam Sole, journalist and managing partner of amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism
• Mimi Mefo Takambou, Cameroonian investigative journalist, founder of Mimi Mefo Info (mimimefoinfos.com)
• Benon Oluka, co-founder of The Watchdog, Uganda and Africa editor at the Global Investigative Journalism Network

The Backstory production team is Andrew Heslop, Mariona Sanz, Colette Davidson and Sarah Elzas, who edited and mixed the episode.

Music in this episode: Something Elated by Broke for Free.