What do we do?

WHAT DO WE DO?

Ortak has a wide range of self-assigned and on-demand works.

Investigative works

i. Deep-dive journalism investigations
(Ortak Deep-Dive)
ii. Quarterly investigations (Ortak Quarterly)
iii. Insights (Ortak Insight)
iv. Investigation review (Ortak Clinic)

On-demand works

i. On-demand investigations
ii. Investigative help
iii. Raw multimedia and news material production
iv. News fixing and local production
v. Trainings

INVESTIGATIVE WORKS

i.Deep-DIVE Journalısm ınvestıgatıons (Ortak deep-dıve)

On a yearly basis, Ortak takes on a large investigation dossier, and after meticulous work, the final output gets published on various national or international outlets. Ortak’s deep-dive investigation dossiers might be published in different formats or multimedia forms (written pieces, a collection of long-reads, video documentaries, photo essays, podcasts, etc.), depending on the nature of the particular investigation.

These investigations might address national, international or cross-border issues, and while Ortak may seek co-funding or partnerships for executing deep-dive investigations, Ortak’s yearly dossiers cannot be solely commissioned by third parties.

Published at: Interested outlets
Frequency: Yearly
Characteristics: Full-fledged, deep-dive dossier on a particular issue
Assigned by: Self-commissioned. Partnerships and co-funding are welcome
Format: Determined upon the particular investigation’s nature

iI. quarterly ınvestıgatıons (ortak quarterly)

While Ortak aims to shed light on undisclosed or conflictual matters with its year-long investigations, we plan to conduct less lengthy investigations on time-sensitive or emerging matters.

Ortak’s quarterly investigations are prepared in a faster fashion, yet for Ortak, the pace does not imply a lesser commitment to concrete facts, documentation principles, and our research standards.

Published at: Interested outlets
Frequency: Quarterly
Characteristics: Timely, about a current or emerging issue. Shorter than Ortak Deep-Dive products.
Assigned by: Self-commissioned. Partnerships and co-funding are welcome
Format: Determined upon the particular investigation’s nature

iII. Insights (ORTAK INSIGHT)

Every investigative journalist is familiar with the word incomplete. In investigative journalism, researchers abandon a great number of initiated investigations, as different methods of documentation turn out to be unsuccessful. Every now and then, Ortak produces insight papers, which are principally incomplete investigations once launched by Ortak. Insight papers contain the essential reasons and motivations for Ortak to start that investigation, research methods applied during the investigation phase, findings, and shortcomings.

Published at: Ortak
Frequency: Irregular. Following the abandonment of investigations
Characteristics: Reveals the work done by Ortak, and lays down concrete facts reached, alongside failed attempts
Assigned by: Self-commissioned
Format: Written

IV. INVESTIGATION REVIEW (ORTAK CLINIC)

Every published investigation is followed by an Ortak Clinic paper. In Ortak Clinic, Ortak dissects its own investigations; discussing methodology, quality, and story-telling aspects of Ortak’s products. For this review, Ortak also collaborates with independent critics and journalists.

Published at: Ortak
Frequency: Following the publication of every Ortak Deep-Dive and Ortak Quarterly investigation
Characteristics: Reveals the work done by Ortak, and receives reviews from independent parties, and in-house investigative journalists, regarding the quality of the work done
Assigned by: Self-commissioned
Format: Written

ON-DEMAND WORKS

i.ON-DEMAND INVESTIGATIONS

Ortak produces commissioned investigations, as long as total control of the investigation process is planned and executed by Ortak, following the initial handshake.

Once an on-demand investigation inquiry is received, Ortak performs preliminary research for assessing boundaries, possibilities and risks. Following the completion of the preliminary investigation, the actual research begins if the parties agree to proceed.

Published at: The publication address is to be determined by Ortak and the third-party
Frequency: On-demand
Characteristics: The research area and the scope of the investigation is to be determined by Ortak and the third party. Ortak has full control over the investigation process and the outcome
Assigned by: Third-party commissioner
Format: Determined by the Ortak and the third-party

iI. INVESTIGATIVE HELP

Ortak also carries out investigative services for international newsrooms or news teams, once specific tasks are requested.

Published at: Choice of the commissioner
Frequency: On-demand
Characteristics: The content of the product is decided by the commissioner
Assigned by: Third-party commissioner
Format: Decided by the third-party

iII. RAW MULTIMEDIA NEWS MATERIAL PRODUCTION

We produce on-demand basic news multimedia, especially during Turkey-related emerging stories.

– Basic news reports,
– verification,
– photos and raw or edited video footage for newsrooms

are among what we provide.

IV. NEWS FIXING and local productıon

Ortak connects international newsrooms or news teams with local or national sources, governmental agencies and relevant parties during emerging Turkey-related stories, or investigations. Fixer services include interpreting, preferably between English and Turkish.

V. TRAININGS

Ortak offers specialized training and mentorship programs to newsrooms or news teams, over subjects including but not limited to those mentioned below:

– Physical, digital and psychosocial security for journalists
– Field reporting
– Investigative journalism
– Environmental journalism
– Climate journalism
– Undercover journalism
– Spatial analysis and digital tools for journalist investigations