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Ian Cobain Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: Investigative Journalism: The Work of Ian Cobain

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Investigative Journalism: The Work of Ian Cobain Study Guide

Ian Cobain: Biographical Details and Career Overview

Ian Cobain was born in Scotland in 1960.

Answer: False

Explanation: The source material indicates Ian Cobain was born in Liverpool, England, in 1960, not Scotland.

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Ian Cobain worked as a senior investigative reporter for *The Times* newspaper.

Answer: False

Explanation: Ian Cobain served as a senior investigative reporter for *The Guardian*, not *The Times*.

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Who is Ian Cobain?

Answer: A British journalist known for investigative reporting.

Explanation: Ian Cobain is recognized as a prominent British journalist whose career is dedicated to in-depth investigative reporting.

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In which city was Ian Cobain born?

Answer: Liverpool, England

Explanation: Ian Cobain was born in Liverpool, England.

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Which newspaper did Ian Cobain work for as a senior investigative reporter until August 2018?

Answer: The Guardian

Explanation: Ian Cobain held the position of senior investigative reporter at *The Guardian* until August 2018.

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As of 2019, which publication was Ian Cobain associated with?

Answer: Middle East Eye

Explanation: By 2019, Ian Cobain was associated with the publication *Middle East Eye*.

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Investigative Journalism: Principles and Themes

Ian Cobain's journalistic work primarily focuses on uncovering human rights abuses and state secrecy.

Answer: True

Explanation: Cobain's investigative journalism is characterized by its focus on exposing human rights violations and the mechanisms of state secrecy.

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Investigative journalism aims to uncover hidden or complex issues, often involving wrongdoing.

Answer: True

Explanation: The core objective of investigative journalism is to expose concealed information, complex situations, and instances of misconduct to the public.

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What is a primary theme in Ian Cobain's investigative journalism?

Answer: Human rights abuses and state secrecy.

Explanation: A central focus of Cobain's work involves investigating and exposing human rights violations and the practices of state secrecy.

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How many wars has Ian Cobain reported on during his career?

Answer: Six

Explanation: Ian Cobain has reported on six wars throughout his extensive journalistic career.

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What is the primary purpose of investigative journalism, as exemplified by Ian Cobain's career?

Answer: To uncover and report on hidden or complex issues, promoting accountability.

Explanation: Investigative journalism, as practiced by Cobain, aims to uncover and report on complex or concealed matters, thereby fostering public awareness and accountability.

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Key Publications: *Cruel Britannia*, *The History Thieves*, and *Anatomy of a Killing*

Ian Cobain's 2012 book, *Cruel Britannia*, examines the British government's use of torture over the past century.

Answer: True

Explanation: Cobain's 2012 book, *Cruel Britannia*, meticulously documents the British government's involvement in and facilitation of torture over a seventy-year period.

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*Cruel Britannia* won the award for 'Best Political Book of the Year'.

Answer: False

Explanation: Ian Cobain's book *Cruel Britannia* received the Paddy Power/Total Politics Debut Political Book of the Year award, not an award for 'Best Political Book of the Year'.

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Ian Cobain's 2016 book is titled *Anatomy of a Killing*.

Answer: False

Explanation: Ian Cobain's book published in 2016 is titled *The History Thieves*. His 2020 book is titled *Anatomy of a Killing*.

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Cobain's book *The History Thieves* focuses on the positive aspects of Britain's imperial history.

Answer: False

Explanation: Cobain's book *The History Thieves* explores how Britain concealed or misrepresented facts related to its imperial history, rather than focusing on positive aspects.

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What was the subject of Ian Cobain's 2012 book, *Cruel Britannia*?

Answer: The British government's use of torture over 70 years.

Explanation: *Cruel Britannia*, published in 2012, examines the British government's historical engagement with torture practices over seven decades.

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Which award did Ian Cobain's book *Cruel Britannia* receive?

Answer: The Paddy Power/Total Politics Debut Political Book of the Year award

Explanation: *Cruel Britannia* was honored with the Paddy Power/Total Politics Debut Political Book of the Year award.

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What is the title of Ian Cobain's book published in 2020?

Answer: Anatomy of a Killing: Life and Death on a Divided Island

Explanation: Ian Cobain's book published in 2020 is titled *Anatomy of a Killing: Life and Death on a Divided Island*.

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What does *The History Thieves* by Ian Cobain explore?

Answer: How Britain concealed or misrepresented facts about its imperial history.

Explanation: *The History Thieves* examines the methods by which Britain obscured or distorted historical accounts related to its imperial past.

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Investigative Focus: State Secrecy and Abuses

In 2006, Ian Cobain went undercover to investigate the Labour Party.

Answer: False

Explanation: In 2006, Ian Cobain conducted an undercover investigation into the British National Party (BNP), not the Labour Party.

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Ian Cobain reported on the British government's support for the CIA's 'extraordinary rendition' program.

Answer: True

Explanation: Cobain's reporting highlighted the British government's complicity in and support for the CIA's controversial 'extraordinary rendition' program.

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The '30-year rule' refers to the period after which government files are typically released.

Answer: True

Explanation: The '30-year rule' generally denotes the standard timeframe for the declassification and public release of government documents.

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What significant revelation did Ian Cobain make in September 2005 regarding the CIA?

Answer: The British government supported the CIA's 'extraordinary rendition' program.

Explanation: In September 2005, Cobain revealed that the British government was actively supporting the CIA's 'extraordinary rendition' program.

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What does the term 'extraordinary rendition' involve, according to the source?

Answer: Transferring individuals suspected of terrorism to countries where they might face torture.

Explanation: Extraordinary rendition refers to the practice of transferring individuals suspected of terrorism to other nations, potentially subjecting them to torture or harsh interrogation methods.

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What does the term 'secrecy of the British state' refer to in Cobain's reporting?

Answer: The intentional hiding of information by the government.

Explanation: The 'secrecy of the British state' refers to the deliberate withholding of information and operations from public view and scrutiny by governmental bodies.

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What specific aspect of the British government's post-9/11 activities did Cobain investigate?

Answer: Its involvement in the CIA's extraordinary rendition program.

Explanation: Cobain's investigations focused significantly on the British government's complicity in the CIA's extraordinary rendition program following the 9/11 attacks.

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What does the '30-year rule' relate to in the context of government files mentioned by Cobain?

Answer: The period after which government documents are typically released.

Explanation: The '30-year rule' pertains to the standard timeframe after which government documents are generally made available to the public.

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Investigative Focus: Northern Ireland Conflicts

Ian Cobain reported on a total of ten wars throughout his career.

Answer: False

Explanation: According to the provided information, Ian Cobain has reported on six wars during his career.

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In 2012, Cobain investigated claims of collusion between police and Protestant paramilitaries in the Omagh bombing.

Answer: False

Explanation: In 2012, Ian Cobain investigated claims of collusion between Northern Irish police and Loyalist paramilitaries concerning the Loughinisland killings, not the Omagh bombing.

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The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland confirmed Ian Cobain's findings regarding the Loughinisland killings.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland corroborated the findings of Ian Cobain's investigation into the collusion allegations surrounding the Loughinisland killings.

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Ian Cobain's 2014 work involved reconstructing the events of the Bloody Sunday massacre.

Answer: False

Explanation: Ian Cobain's 2014 work involved reconstructing the events of the Ballymurphy shootings, utilizing contemporary records, rather than the Bloody Sunday massacre.

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The inquest into the Ballymurphy shootings concluded that the lethal force used by the British Army was justified.

Answer: False

Explanation: The inquest into the Ballymurphy shootings concluded that the 10 civilians killed were innocent victims and that the lethal force employed by the British Army was not justified.

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The term 'collusion' in Cobain's Loughinisland investigation implies open cooperation between police and paramilitaries.

Answer: False

Explanation: The term 'collusion' in the context of the Loughinisland investigation implies secret or illegal cooperation between the police and paramilitary groups, not open cooperation.

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A Police Ombudsman investigates complaints against the police to ensure accountability.

Answer: True

Explanation: The role of a Police Ombudsman is to independently investigate complaints concerning police conduct, thereby upholding accountability.

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An inquest is a process to determine the cause of death and examine the circumstances surrounding it.

Answer: True

Explanation: An inquest serves as a formal judicial inquiry designed to ascertain the facts pertaining to a death, including its cause and the surrounding circumstances.

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Paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland operated exclusively outside state control during the Troubles.

Answer: True

Explanation: During the period known as the Troubles, paramilitary groups were armed organizations functioning independently of official state military structures.

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What allegations did Ian Cobain investigate in Loughinisland in 2012?

Answer: Collusion between Northern Irish police and Loyalist paramilitaries.

Explanation: In 2012, Cobain's investigation focused on allegations of collusion between Northern Irish police and Loyalist paramilitary groups in the Loughinisland incident.

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What did the inquest into the Ballymurphy shootings conclude regarding the civilians killed?

Answer: They were innocent victims.

Explanation: The inquest into the Ballymurphy shootings determined that the 10 civilians who lost their lives were innocent victims.

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What does the phrase 'legacy of Northern Ireland's Troubles' refer to in Cobain's work?

Answer: The long-term consequences and unresolved issues from the conflict.

Explanation: The 'legacy of Northern Ireland's Troubles' encompasses the enduring consequences, unresolved issues, and historical impacts stemming from the conflict period.

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What did Ian Cobain's investigation into the Ballymurphy shootings help to establish?

Answer: The innocence of the civilians killed and the lack of justification for force.

Explanation: Cobain's reconstruction of the Ballymurphy shootings contributed to the inquest's conclusion that the civilians killed were innocent and that the force used was unjustified.

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What does the term 'collusion' imply in the context of the Loughinisland investigation?

Answer: Secret or illegal cooperation.

Explanation: In the context of the Loughinisland investigation, 'collusion' suggests a clandestine or illicit collaboration between authorities and paramilitary groups.

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What was the outcome of the inquest into the Ballymurphy shootings concerning the use of lethal force?

Answer: The force used was considered excessive and unjustified.

Explanation: The inquest concluded that the lethal force employed by the British Army during the Ballymurphy shootings was excessive and lacked justification.

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What does the term 'paramilitary' signify in the context of Northern Ireland's Troubles?

Answer: Armed organizations operating outside the state military.

Explanation: In the context of Northern Ireland's Troubles, 'paramilitary' denotes armed groups that operated independently of the state's official military forces.

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What is the function of an 'inquest' as mentioned in relation to the Ballymurphy shootings?

Answer: A formal judicial inquiry to establish facts surrounding a death.

Explanation: An inquest serves as a formal judicial process to ascertain the facts and circumstances surrounding a death.

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Awards, Recognition, and Professional Roles

Ian Cobain provided expert testimony in the legal case concerning Liam Holden.

Answer: True

Explanation: Cobain's expertise was utilized when he served as an expert witness in the legal proceedings related to Liam Holden's case.

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Ian Cobain has won the prestigious Paul Foot Award for investigative journalism.

Answer: True

Explanation: Cobain's contributions to investigative journalism have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Paul Foot Award.

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Ian Cobain and Richard Norton-Taylor received an award for their reporting on the Iraq War.

Answer: False

Explanation: Ian Cobain and Richard Norton-Taylor received a Human Rights Campaign of the Year Award from Liberty for their reporting on Britain's complicity in the use of torture, not for reporting on the Iraq War.

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Ian Cobain's work as an expert witness likely had little impact on the Liam Holden legal proceedings.

Answer: False

Explanation: As an expert witness, Ian Cobain's research and findings likely had a significant impact on the legal proceedings for Liam Holden, potentially influencing the challenge to his conviction or sentence.

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In what capacity did Ian Cobain serve in the legal case for Liam Holden?

Answer: Expert witness

Explanation: Ian Cobain provided his expertise as an expert witness in the legal proceedings concerning Liam Holden.

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Which of the following is NOT listed as an award won by Ian Cobain?

Answer: The Booker Prize for Fiction

Explanation: While Cobain has received awards such as the Martha Gellhorn Prize and the Paul Foot Award, the Booker Prize for Fiction is not among his listed accolades.

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Which award did Ian Cobain and Richard Norton-Taylor receive from the organization Liberty?

Answer: Human Rights Campaign of the Year Award

Explanation: Liberty recognized Ian Cobain and Richard Norton-Taylor with a Human Rights Campaign of the Year Award for their investigative work on Britain's role in torture.

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Journalistic Concepts and Industry Practices

Organizers denied Ian Cobain access to the 2019 DSEI arms fair due to his positive coverage of the event.

Answer: False

Explanation: Organizers denied Ian Cobain access to the 2019 DSEI arms fair because his previous reporting was critical of the arms trade and DSEI, and they suspected he would not provide positive coverage.

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The term 'arms trade' refers to the business of selling weapons and military equipment.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'arms trade' encompasses the international business of manufacturing and selling weapons and military equipment.

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Fleet Street is a geographical location known for its historic printing presses.

Answer: False

Explanation: While historically associated with printing, 'Fleet Street' is now primarily used as a metonym for the British national newspaper industry and its established press.

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Why was Ian Cobain denied access to the DSEI arms sales fair in 2019?

Answer: His previous reporting was critical of the arms trade.

Explanation: Access was denied because Cobain's prior critical reporting on the arms trade and the DSEI fair led organizers to believe he would not provide favorable coverage.

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