From Investigation to Screen

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How Fault Lines Builds

an Investigative Documentary Film

Global Investigative Journalism Conference

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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November 22, 2025

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Laila Al-Arian, Al Jazeera English

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What Makes a Fault Lines Investigation?

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• High-stakes cases
• Survivors and victims at the center
• Accountability-driven & systemic
• Strong visuals
• A provable methodology
• A clear revelation or newsline�

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What I Look for in a Pitch

• Is there a wrong that can be proven?�
• Does it represent a larger structural problem?�
• Is there a powerful individual or institution to hold accountable?
• What evidence will back up the testimony?

Is there a paper trail / data / FOIA / OSINT possibility?

• Can it sustain 25 minutes?
• Who will appear on camera? Anonymously?
• Do we have any actuality or scenes we can film?
• What is the narrative and investigative arc?�

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What Doesn’t Make It

• One-off tragedies (that don’t represent a pattern)�
• Stories without visuals or access�
• No new reporting / nothing to reveal �
• Stakes not high enough

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Examples of Fault Lines Investigations

Unrelinquished → loopholes in federal U.S. gun laws allowed abusers to keep their guns and go on to kill their partners.��Gutted → what happens when private equity buys a hospital system��The Jim Crow Convictions → how an old law led to racially-biased conviction of Black people

The Night Won’t End → evidence of Israeli military killings of civilians�

The Killing of Shireen Abu Akleh → investigating the killing of an Al Jazeera journalist�

“Bloodsport” CTE in football → how the NFL failed its Black players

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Case Study: The Night Won’t End

Reporting Approach:

• Work with journalists and filmmakers on the ground�
• Ensure their safety (discuss reporting techniques/how to send material)�
• Make sure the reporting is bullet-proof and unimpeachable. Cross-verify content with third-party sources (news, social media, eyewitnesses).�
• Gather every possible piece of evidence�
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The Night Won’t End

Source of Documentation:

• Journalists & media outlets�
• Local civilians/experts (doctors, human rights investigators, etc)�
• NGOs and human rights groups�
• Satellite imagery and drone footage (partnered with open source investigators like Forensic Architecture, Airwars, Al Jazeera Sanad)�
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Building the Story

-Identify main cases + lines of accountability�

-Construct a timeline�

-Establish a central question or theme�

-What is the narrative arc? (pre-titles, Act 1, 2, 3)�

-Be clear on what the story is from beginning to end

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Production

-Character-driven scenes�

-Be flexible in the field—story may shift�

-Ethical filming with survivors (informed consent/avoid retraumatization)�

-Translating complex investigations visually�

-Negotiating access (be clear and up front about what the on-camera access is)

-Safety protocols

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Scripting/Editing (post-production)

-Again - Always be clear on what your story/investigation is

-Take note of “best moments” in the field and build script around them

-Outline, outline, outline. Pre-script if possible.

-Anchor your investigation in strong, human moments

-Right of reply

-Make sure you’re allowed to use archive (rights)

-Fact check (prepare for it ahead of time)

-Screen cuts for “focus group” feedback/clarity/narrative structure��-Legal review��

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How to watch Fault Lines

Al Jazeera English’s website- search Fault Lines

YouTube Page: Scan this QR code