Two days after World Press Freedom Day in 2023, three seasoned journalists set out to address a glaring gap in the Solomon Islands. With media freedom often under threat and access to independent journalism limited, Ofani Eremae, Georgina Maka’a, and Charley Piringi came together to found In-Depth Solomons. Their mission: to uncover corruption, hold leaders accountable, and empower the community through investigative journalism marked by depth, transparency and precision. As co-founder Gina Maka’a puts it: “We want our readers to have more accurate and balanced information so they can form their own opinions. This is why we set up the news outlet.”

The team knew they were entering challenging waters. Having a population of around 700,000 scattered across hundreds of islands, the Solomon Islands has long struggled with limited media resources and political pressures. Yet the stakes were too high to ignore. Investigative journalism, the founders of In-Depth Solomons believed, could not only uncover wrongdoing, but also spark public conversations that would lead to meaningful change. 

From the outset, the organization generated an impact. Despite starting with a small team, they published six major investigative pieces in 2023 alone, standing out as a bold voice in the local media landscape. 

One of them, released in video format, investigated the wealth of former Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, raising questions about his millions of dollars in property. Published shortly before the elections, the story drew public attention by highlighting the lack of transparency in the management of public funds and the imbalance of power and resources in the Solomon Islands. After serving as prime minister four times between 2000 and 2024, Sogavare eventually stepped down following his party’s poor election results. 

“Stories about the public interest or corrupt dealings spark people to get out and talk about issues,” Maka’a notes, emphasizing the organization’s role in encouraging civic engagement. 

“Our main goal in 5-10 years is to be the leading investigative media outlet in the Solomon Islands”, says the co-founder Georgina Maka’a

Broadening its scope, In-Depth Solomons is also addressing wrongdoing in sectors which are often overlooked by mainstream media, like mining and logging. In another powerful investigation, the outlet gave a voice to communities affected by unregulated mining activities, revealing how these operations were destroying the environment, endangering biodiversity, and threatening the health and livelihoods of rural communities dependent on farming and fishing. Moreover, the investigation highlighted gaps in environmental assessments, with long-term consequences for sustainability. 

Looking ahead, one key area of focus for In-Depth Solomons will be climate change reporting, especially given the vulnerability of the region to rising sea levels, shifting habitats and extreme weather events. Mining will remain a major focus too, with the team planning to publish regular investigations into its environmental and social impact, as well as the procedural gaps that often accompany such activities. 

Seeking to amplify the impact of these stories, In-Depth Solomons engages audiences through its website and Facebook page, which has attracted over 10,000 followers. The outlet uses short videos, reels, and infographics to make complex stories on corruption and environmental destruction more accessible to the broader public. In fact, this type of stories generate the most engagement, says Maka’a.

Even if In-Depth Solomons has achieved early success, the team faces the ongoing challenge of financial sustainability. Initially supported by OCCRP, the team later secured further support from donors such as Internews and Report for the World. Still, Maka’a says, “If we don’t make money, and funding is pulled out, how sustainable are we? That’s why we come up with many ideas to make us sustainable.”

“If we don’t make money, and funding is pulled out, how sustainable are we? That’s why we come up with many ideas to make us sustainable.”, says the co-founder Georgina Maka’a

Exploring funding and expanding community

Currently, their revenue streams include sources like grants and Google AdSense, though implementation challenges have limited their full potential. Future plans include hiring a salesperson to boost viability. The team also recognizes a crucial opportunity to engage the community through a monthly newsletter that communicates impact and fosters support. Developing a strategy to highlight this impact, while balancing consistent content production with in-depth investigative stories, will be key to ensuring long-term financial sustainability.

With significant growth potential and ambitious aspirations, In-Depth Solomons will continue to push boundaries: “Our main goal in 5-10 years is to be the leading investigative media outlet in the Solomon Islands,” says Maka’a. “Gone are the days when they could get away.”  

This story is part of IPI’s Local Journalism Project. The publication of these case studies – part of IPI’s wider work mapping, networking and supporting quality innovative media serving local communities – is supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.