GFI/BNN host investigative journalism training

A report published by Global Financial Integrity (GFI) found that the illegal trade in wildlife, timber and fish accounted for at least $61 million in estimated losses and illicit financial flows in Belize over a multi-year assessment period from 2012 to 2018.

In April, the Belize Network of NGOs, GFI, and the Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) joined forces to host a two-day training for journalists aimed at deepening their knowledge of illegal wildlife trade (IWT) in Belize and the web of illicit financial flows and corruption connected to it.

Though designed for journalists, the event drew participants from civil society and academia, engaging more than 40 people over the two days.

Participants learned that cross-border illegal activity continues to plague Belize's frontier with its neighbors. The illegal hunting of wild game, harvesting of forest products, and clearing of land for cattle ranching remain problem areas.

The more investigations carried out on this topic, the closer we get to identifying the ultimate beneficiaries and the actors orchestrating these illegal activities. BNN hopes to partner with more organizations to produce further investigative pieces on important issues across Belize.