Chasing the Story

Chasing the Story is the International Center for Journalists' podcast. In every episode, an outstanding journalist in the ICFJ network takes us behind the scenes to better understand how they conducted some of the world’s most important investigations. Reporters will explain how they chased - and landed - a major story, from following dark money across the U.S.-Mexico border to going undercover to expose sexual harassment in Nigerian universities.

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Chasing the Story

Episode 6: Rana Sabbagh

December 17, 2024 • International Center for Journalists • Season 1 • Episode 6

In this episode of Chasing the Story, the International Center for Journalists’ podcast, OCCRP senior editor Rana Sabbagh takes us behind the scenes of the documentary “Syria: Addicted to Captagon.” During the year-long investigation, Sabbagh and her colleagues interviewed drug smugglers and drug addicts, battled authorities over crucial evidence and skirted danger to show how high-ranking Syrian officials have profited from the production and smuggling of a highly addictive amphetamine.

Sabbagh is a senior editor for the Middle East - North Africa for the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project. She is a longtime investigative journalist and the 2024 ICFJ Knight Trailblazer Award winner.