Lecture on Investigative Journalism

Robert Scheer wrote that "what passes for investigative journalism is finding somebody with their pants down - literally or otherwise." It may not be the most profound statement but investigative journalism is all about uncovering truths, unearthing scandals and presenting well-researched and provocative stories to the public. Some of the most controversial and high-impact stories revolve around the trifecta - Money, Sex and Power.

Investigative journalists must be:

• Intelligent and well-prepared
• Informed on their topic and versed in the facts of what they are covering 
• Intuitive - have a gut feeling about when something is not right and what needs to be explored past face value
• Creative - willing to get inside the story in a participatory or undercover sense
• Willing to invest time and energy into uncovering and producing a story

The Deeper Meanings and Purpose of Investigative Journalism

1. Critical and thorough journalism - actively intervene and spend time participating, consulting sources and delving beneath the surface of events. 
2. Custodians of conscience - based on keeping society in line with accepted morals and values and and exposing any civic vice that is occurring.
3. To provide a voice for those without one and to hold the powerful to account - form of social justice by representing the 'little guy' or the disenfranchised.
4. Fourth Estate/ Fourth Branch of Government or Watchdog - represent the interests of the common public and ensure that free information is available to enable the functioning of democracy and to render those institutions and personalities accountable for any breaches in trust or acts of dishonesty. 

To summarise, the four main Principles are:

• Active Intervention
• Exposure
• Public Interest 
• Fourth Estate/ Watchdog 

Investigative journalists should aim to be sceptical and not cynical - otherwise the job will eat you alive. 

 - it is what the public is interested.

The aim is to cut through the agenda of events and circumstances that are fed to them. John Pilger, an Australian Investigative Journalist believes that "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."

Some of the Trailblazers within the field who have made a splash and caused serious change include:

W.T. Stead and "The Maiden Tribute of Modern Babylon" - the
Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein and "The Watergate Scandal"
Chris Masters, Phil Dickie and Shaun Hoyt and "The Moonlight State"
Julian Assange and "Wikileaks"

Types of Investigative Interaction include:
- Interviews with on-the-record sources and sometimes with anonymous sources such as whistleblowers
- Observations on public, legal and social issues and the effects of government and business practices
- Documents including law suits, legal documents, tax records, briefings, corporate financials and freedom of information material

Threats to the field culminate in the expansion of online news platforms. Less money and time is being given journalists to probe issues and therefore the quality of investigative journalism is diminishing. Many journalists also chain themselves to the computers to do their research instead of wearing down their shoe leather and investigating in person. The advent of pay walls may also pose a problem to investigative journalists as corporate owners may be less willing to assign time and funds to a job that is essentially being performed by citizen journalists for free.

Public Relations is also considered an enemy of investigative journalism was PR selectively uses facts to present certain issues to the public and persuade them into accepting a viewpoint. PR is resistant to exposure, with PR officers advising their clients to dodge questions while they clean up stories.