Investigative Journalism

A Investigative Journalism is a journalism practice that systematically uncovers hidden information (to expose misconduct and inform public interest).

• AKA: Watchdog Journalism, In-Depth Reporting, Accountability Journalism, Accountability Reporting.
• Context:
  • It can typically conduct Deep Investigation through source cultivation and document analysis.
  • It can typically expose Hidden Truth through systematic research and evidence gathering.
  • It can typically protect Public Interest through accountability reporting and power monitoring.
  • It can typically verify Complex Information through fact checking and cross referencing.
  • It can typically maintain Journalistic Independence through ethical standards and transparency practices.
  • It can typically analyze Legal Documents through lawsuit review and regulatory analysis.
  • ...
  • It can often utilize Data Analysis through statistical methods and pattern recognition.
  • It can often employ Digital Investigation through online research and digital forensics.
  • It can often collaborate with Expert Source through specialized consultation and technical verification.
  • It can often protect Confidential Source through source protection and information security.
  • It can often access Public Records through freedom of information laws and database analysis.
  • It can often engage Whistleblowers through anonymous source protection and confidential communication.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Local Investigation to being a Global Investigation, depending on its geographic scope.
  • It can range from being a Short Term Project to being a Long Term Investigation, depending on its investigation depth.
  • It can range from being a Single Reporter Project to being a Collaborative Investigation, depending on its resource requirement.
  • It can range from being a Document Analysis to being a Field Investigation, depending on its investigation method.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Investigation Types, such as:
    • Political Investigations, such as:
      • Watergate Investigation (1972) for presidential misconduct exposure.
      • Panama Papers Investigation (2016) for global financial corruption exposure.
    • Corporate Investigations, such as:
      • Enron Investigation (2001) for corporate fraud exposure.
      • Big Tobacco Investigation (1990s) for industry deception exposure.
    • Environmental Investigations, such as:
      • Love Canal Investigation (1978) for toxic waste exposure.
      • Deepwater Horizon Investigation (2010) for environmental disaster coverage.
  • Notable Investigative Reporters, such as:
    • Amy Goodman for democracy now reporting.
    • Elizabeth Jane Cochrane for pioneering investigative journalism.
    • Günter Wallraff for undercover investigation.
    • Tim Lopes for crime investigation.
    • Gary Webb for CIA investigation.
  • Investigation Organizations, such as:
    • International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (1997) for global collaborative investigation.
    • Center for Public Integrity for accountability journalism.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Breaking News Reporting, which lacks long-term investigation and systematic research.
  • Opinion Journalism, which lacks evidence-based investigation and factual verification.
  • Feature Journalism, which lacks accountability focus and misconduct exposure.
• See: Research Journalism, Data Journalism, Muckraking, Public Service Journalism, Documentary Journalism, Wire Service, LexisNexis, Freedom of Information Laws, Primary Source, Political Corruption, Freelance.

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