"An investigative journalist is … to discover the truth and to identify lapses from it in whatever media may be available." - Hugo de Burgh (British Media Theorist)
Yes today, after a very difficult mental battle with myself as to whether or not I should attend this lecture we were introduced to the topic of Investigative Journalism. Much like agenda setting, investigative journalism is described basically within itself, it is to investigate and discover to create news.
We began with what is known as the "in's" of Investigative Journalism, which are:
> INvestigative
> INtelligent
> INformed
> INtuitive
> INside
> INvest
This is a very simple way of approaching Investigative Journalism but one must look to a deeper at the meaning and purpose of this topic. We are then presented with four main key points to Investigative Journalism:
1.Critical and Thorough Journalism.
> the journalist is an active participant and makes a substantial effort (active is the key concept)
2.Custodians of Conscience.
> investigation takes society's morals and norms and holds breaches up to public scrutiny; in other words, what they call 'civic vise' is exposed for society to respond to (exposure is the key concept)
3.To Provide a Voice for Those Without a Voice and to Hold the Powerful to Account.
> social justice - power to the powerless, voice to the voiceless.(public interest is the key concept).
4.Fourth Estate/ Fourth Branch/ 'Watchdog.'
>FOURTH ESTATE; Journalists represent the interests of those without the power to balance the control of the government.
>FOURTH BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT; Journalists ensure free flows of information necessary for the functioning of democracy by interrogating the judiciary, executive and legislature.
>'WATCHDOG'; Journalists make accountable public personalities and institutions whose functions impact social and political life
We then proceeded to go through some of the "trialblazers" of Investigative Journalism and all of them had in common was that their investigations were LOCAL. This reminds me of previous lectures and reinforces that statement "if it's local, it leads."
Moving on, shown to us were the types of Investigative Interaction. These included:> Interviews: ALL sources both primary and secondary even those that need to remain anonymous.
> Observations: Technical issues, scrutiny of businesses and the government, and social and legal issues.
> Documents: Law suits, legal documents, Tax records, Corporate financial documents, Freedom of. > Information (FOI) materials.
> Briefings.
> Leaks.
> Trespass.
> Theft.
However, like most things these days, threats towards Investigative Journalism are presented through the online world. Less money means less journalists and less time which in turn results in less Investigative Journalism. I'm still struggling to come to terms with the fact that the online world can actually have downfalls but these lectures continually prove me wrong.
Concluding today's lecture we discussed Journalism vs Public Relations. The more growth that there is in PR the greater the shrinkage in journalism. This is due to PR "propaganda by truth" which is the selective use of facts presented in order to sway the public's opinion.
After reflecting upon this lecture I find that in news today there is a serious lack of Investigative Journalism as it seems to be all about what celebrity is wearing what etc. Today's society needs to know the happenings of the world not the pointless stories that will most likely be forgotten about in a week or so. This lecture seemed to push a similar perspective, which probably made me enjoy it more.
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