Investigative journalism shines the spotlight on corruption and abuse of power by uncovering stories that would otherwise go unreported. It can spark public debate and reforms, driving social justice and legal change. It is an essential part of democracy.
From the muckraker articles of McClure’s Magazine around the turn of the twentieth century to Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein blowing the lid on Watergate, twenty-first-century investigative journalism uses data analysis, whistleblower cooperation, and cross-referenced information to hold the powerful accountable.
It’s important to remember that investigative journalism requires time, effort and dedication. Many times, journalists will spend weeks—or even months—following leads and building relationships with human sources before a story breaks. This can be a challenging, but necessary part of the process.
As a result, it’s important to set aside time for this part of the process and to be clear with sources about what you need from them in order to tell the story they want told. Thorough fact-checking and verification are also key.
It’s also helpful to develop what investigative journalist James Steele calls “a documents state of mind,” meaning that you assume there are documents (and increasingly, data) that can support the claims your sources make and back up your own research. This helps you keep your finger on the pulse as you report, identifying potential additional document trails and other sources. It’s also important to think about the people you’re interviewing and where their contacts might be, as they could have valuable information that can take your investigation further.
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