Investigative Jurnalism

Investigative journalism help right wrongs. It exposes cover-ups, crime, protects and fosters democracy, exposes incompetence, reveals dark secrets and is challenging / rewarding for journalists.

Two key factors that work against investigative journalism in Australia:

• Australian Laws - especially defamation laws. 
• Financial Costs - Company searches, legal advice and Journalists' wages / costs.

Not all investigations are expensive. Recent successful investigations have cost little or nothing.

Some stories have changed our world:

• Watergate - Led to the resignation of the US president. 
• Mt Erebus disaster - Exposed attempted cover-up of a tragic NZ plane crash. 
• CSR / James Hardie asbestos - exposed corporate negligence in Australia. 

A desire to dig up dirt is needed.

Leading Australian investigative journalists include; Bob Bottom writing for Fairfax newspapers (Exposed organised crime in NSW), Phil Dickie of the Courier-Mail (exposed police / political corruption in QLD), Chris Masters of Four Corners (Investigated corruption at many levels).

• Journalists literally make news by being proactive, conducting research and discovering information, talking to people / cultivating sources, writing agenda-setting articles. 

Investigative Journalitss should have some or all tof hte key qualities below:

• Resourceful, Thoughtful, Persistent, Intuitive, Making time for investigation. 

Finding time to investigate is challenging.

Many investigative stories takes, weeks, months or years to compile. 

How do Journalists Investigate

Define what is to be investigated: But be flexible, directions can change.
Do broad background research; check news archives, researching online.
Seek primary documents and resources. 
Consider what research reveals.
Check facts.
Legal knowledge and seeking legal advice are all essential.
Follow the money trail.
Consider the chronology of events.