Investigative journalism is uncovering topics that are hidden behind a tumultuous mass of facts and circumstances. It is the study that exposes all pertinent information to safeguard public duty and interest. This type of reporting takes days, weeks, or even years to complete and may require a tremendous amount of research including examining legal papers, public records and financial information, as well as several in-depth interviews with on-the-record and anonymous sources.
Whether they are politicians, companies, or people in general, people who seek power and wealth try to hide decisions that affect other people. This is why it is important to have watchdogs who can expose these issues for the benefit of society. From the muckraker articles in McClure’s Magazine around the turn of the century to the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism by the Washington Post about Watergate, investigative journalism has a long history of holding those in power accountable.
In addition to researching and interviewing, investigative journalists also spend time compiling the story’s data and facts into a concise report. This final product is then reviewed by colleagues for accuracy and integrity.
The most critical tool for any investigative journalist is the ability to find, access and interpret documents, data and images. In this class, students learn how to navigate state and federal databases to find publicly available information. Much like doing a jigsaw puzzle, it takes patience and dedication to fit the pieces together until you have a clear picture.
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