Lecture 11: Investigative Journalism

An investigative journalist is a man or woman whose profession it is to discover the truth and to identify lapses from it in whatever media may be available. The act of doing this generally is called investigative journalism and is distinct from apparently similar work done by police, lawyers, auditors and regulatory bodies.

INVESTIGATIVE-INTELLIGENT
                              -INFORMED
                              -INTUITIVE
                              -INSIDE
                              -INVEST

Deeper definitions & Purpose
1. Critical and thorough journalism
2. Custodians of conscience
3. To provide a voice for those without one and to hold the powerful to account
4. Fourth Estate / Fourth Branch of Govt/ Watchdog

It is not enough for journalists to see themselves as mere messengers without understanding the hidden agendas of the message and myths that surround it. Newspapers clearly have a function beyond mere reporting and recording –a function of probing behind the straight news, or interpreting and explaining and sometimes of exposing … The press lives by disclosure. The ABC cannot simply report; its legislation clearly implies that it should also work within the best traditions of investigative journalism … systematically to pursue issues of public concern through innovative and reliable journalism.

TYPES OF INVESTIGATION INTERACTION

• Interviews
• Observations
• Documents
• Briefings
• Leaks
• Trespass
• Theft

INVESTIGATION METHODS

1. Interviewing-Numerous interviews with on-the-record sources as well as, in some instances, interviews with anonymous sources eg. whistleblowers
2. Observing-Investigation of technical issues, scrutiny of government and business practices and their effects. Research into social and legal issues
3. Analysing documents-(law suits, legal docs, tax records, corporate financials, FOI (Freedom of Information) material)

PR: propaganda by truth –the selective use of ‘facts’ to present a persuasive case to the public

• resistance to EXPOSURE
• dodging QUESTIONS
• massaging ‘talent’
• cleaning up stories

Journalism: verifying the ‘facts’ in ‘the public interest’

• no INTERVENTION
• no SHOE LEATHER
• lack of DEPTH
• formulaic reporting