Lecture 11 - Investigative Journalism

In this weeks lecture, the final formal lecture for JOUR1111 Semester 1 2012, Dr Redman introduced us to the finer concepts of Investigative Journalism. Throughout the lecture we covered what Investigative Journalism is all about, the deeper meaning and purpose behind it, historical investigations into the beginnings of Investigative Journalism, what to investigate, threats to Investigative Journalism and what changes will occur to Investigative Journalism in the future. These were the notes that I took from the lecture...

“An investigative journalist is…to discover the truth and to identify lapses from it in whatever media may be available” (Hugo de Burgh)

The ‘Ins’ of Investigative Journalism

•         Investigative
•         Intelligent
•         Informed
•         Intuitive
•         Inside
•         Invest
• 
  

     Deeper purpose

•         Critical and thorough journalism

Ø  Critical = the journalist is an active participant

Ø  Active Intervention

Ø  Thorough = Journalist makes a substantial effort

•         Custodians of conscience

Ø  Exposure

•         To provide a voice for those without one and hold the powerful to account

Ø  Social Justice – Power to the powerless, voice to the voiceless

Ø  Public Interest

•         Fourth estate/fourth branch of Government/ Watchdog

Ø  Journalists represent interests of those without power, enure the flow of necessary information for democracy, make accountable public personalities and institutions

•         'Skeptical not Cynical!'

     Cutting through the Agenda

•         ‘Journalists’ uncritical dependence on their sources, orchestrated government leaks…media units and press secretaries… can lead to [the media] becoming a mouthpiece for vested interests (Fitzgerald Report)

  

      Historical Investigations

1.         Edward Hall Smith in the Sydney Monitor
2.         The Maiden tribute of modern Babylon campaign – W.T. Stead and the Salvos
3.         Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein – 1972-74 Watergate scandal
4.         Masters, Dickie & Hoyt on the ‘The Moonlight State’
5.         Julian Assange and the ‘WikiLEAKS’

      What to investigate?

•         Always check your facts
•         Assume NOTHING!
•         Expect whistleblowers to be and go crazy

Types of Investigation Interaction

•          Interviews
•         Observations
•         Analysing documents
•         Briefings
•         Leaks
•         Trespass
•         Theft

*Triangulation – does everything line up?

Threats to Investigative Journalism

•         Online News – Less money = less journalists +less time = less investigate journalism

Journalism vs PR

•         PR: Propaganda by truth the selective use of ‘facts’ to present a persuasive case to the public
•         Journalism: Verifying the ‘facts’ in the public interest
•         Growth in PR = Shrinkage in Journalism

      Future of Investigative Journalism

•         Social Media
•         Youtube
•         Video Journalism

     

     Hoo Roo

     Stewy