Investigative journalism is a specialized form of reporting that requires a high degree of research, fact-checking and analysis to uncover hidden truths about social injustices and corruption. Also known as enterprise, in-depth, or project reporting, investigative journalism exposes wrongdoing, sparking social change by highlighting issues that demand public accountability.
As a watchdog of society, investigative journalists use research and original storytelling to bring about change on a local, national or international scale. From Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle exposing cruelty in meatpacking plants to Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein alerting the public to the Watergate scandal of the 1970s, to the Boston Globe’s Spotlight team revealing sexual abuse by Catholic priests in the early 2000s, the work of these passionate professionals plays an essential role in holding institutions and individuals accountable for their actions.
Investigating complex issues can be time consuming, and it is important to plan ahead and consider any potential risks or obstacles that may arise during an investigation. This includes determining what type of information is most critical to the story, such as documents, records or witness testimony. Journalists should be able to identify potential sources for these documents, and make a note to follow up on any leads they have received. Thorough source verification is an important part of the investigative process, and it can be helpful to add these details to footnotes in stories so readers are able to verify information themselves.
Journalists investigating sensitive topics should be transparent about their methods and disclose any potential conflicts of interest. They should also be prepared for the possibility that their research could uncover sensitive or private information, and should ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for this.