Investigative Reporter

A Investigative Reporter is a journalistic reporter who conducts in-depth investigations into specific topics (to uncover hidden truths and expose wrongdoing).

• AKA: Investigative Journalist, Watchdog Reporter, Accountability Reporter, Muckraker.
• Context:
  • It can typically conduct Long Term Investigation through systematic research and evidence gathering.
  • It can typically analyze Complex Documents through legal document analysis and financial record review.
  • It can typically cultivate Source Networks through confidential relationships and trust building.
  • It can typically protect Source Identity through anonymity protocols and security measures.
  • It can typically validate Investigation Findings through fact verification and evidence corroboration.
  • ...
  • It can often utilize Research Tools through database access and document repository.
  • It can often leverage Freedom of Information Laws through document requests and record acquisition.
  • It can often collaborate with Expert Consultants through technical analysis and specialized verification.
  • It can often employ Digital Investigation through online research and data analysis.
  • It can often maintain Professional Networks through journalist collaboration and source development.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Local Reporter to being a Global Investigator, depending on its investigation scope.
  • It can range from being a Freelance Reporter to being an Institutional Investigator, depending on its employment status.
  • It can range from being a Specialist Reporter to being a General Investigator, depending on its topic focus.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Investigation Areas, such as:
    • Political Investigations, such as:
      • Bob Woodward for watergate investigation.
      • Gary Webb (1996) for CIA drug connection investigation.
    • Corporate Investigations, such as:
      • Elizabeth Jane Cochrane (1887) for asylum condition exposure.
      • Günter Wallraff for corporate abuse investigation.
    • Crime Investigations, such as:
      • Tim Lopes (2002) for drug trafficking exposure.
      • Veronica Guerin (1996) for organized crime investigation.
  • Investigation Organizations, such as:
    • International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (1997) with 165 reporters across 65 nations.
    • Center for Public Integrity for global investigation coordination.
  • Investigation Tools, such as:
    • Document Analysis Tools, such as:
      • LexisNexis for legal document research.
      • Public Record Databases for government document access.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • News Reporter, which lacks long-term investigation and systematic research.
  • Opinion Columnist, which lacks evidence-based reporting and factual verification.
  • Feature Writer, which lacks investigative focus and wrongdoing exposure.
• See: Investigative Journalism, Panama Papers, Freedom of Information Laws, Political Corruption, Primary Source, Freelance, International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, Whistleblower Protection, Media Ethics.

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References

2016

• (Wikipedia, 2016) ⇒ http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Investigative_journalism Retrieved:2016-4-11.
  • Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, such as serious crimes, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years researching and preparing a report. Investigative journalism is a primary source of information. Most investigative journalism is conducted by newspapers, wire services, and freelance journalists. Practitioners sometimes use the term "accountability reporting". One of the largest teams of investigative journalists is the is the Washington-based International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) launched in 1997 by the Center for Public Integrity which includes 165 investigative reporters in over 65 countries working collaboratively on crime, corruption, and abuse of power at a global level. Under Gerard Ryle as Director, Working with major media outlets globally they have exposed organised crime, international tobacco companies, private military cartels, asbestos companies, and climate change lobbyists, details of Iraq and Afghanistan war contracts and most recently the Panama Papers.

    An investigative reporter may make use of one or more of these tools, among others, on a single story:

    • Analysis of documents, such as lawsuits and other legal documents, tax records, government reports, regulatory reports, and corporate financial filings
    • Databases of public records
    • Investigation of technical issues, including scrutiny of government and business practices and their effects
    • Research into social and legal issues
    • Subscription research sources such as LexisNexis.
    • Numerous interviews with on-the-record sources as well as, in some instances, interviews with anonymous sources (for example whistleblowers)
    • Federal or state Freedom of Information Acts to obtain documents and data from government agencies

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