2. Definition: Investigative Reporting All reporting contains elements of investigating Also called: in-depth, enterprising, explanatory journalism Often shines a light on corruption Requires significant time and effort Incorporates rigorous research techniques Needs many primary and secondary source interviews Questions how things are and how things should be… Imagines the possibilities… journalism can contribute to positive change
3. THREE-DAY WORKSHOP DAY ONE: DEVELOPING THE STORY DAY TWO: GATHERING INFORMATION AND WRITING THE STORY DAY THREE: PRESENTING THE STORY
4. WHO HAS DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED INVESTIGATIVE STORIES? What was the story? What were you biggest challenges? What were you greatest successes? Suggestions for colleagues…
5. Investigative Reporting asks: How is the system supposed to work? Why doesn’t it work this way now? Who benefits from the system NOT working? Who is hurt when the systems doesn’t work? What can be done to fix this system?
6. Generating ideas… Find a story focus: Uncovering story must be feasible Must be easy to explain one-minute speech/25 words Story idea contains questions answered by PEOPLE and DATA But must be character and NOT data driven
7. EXAMPLES: What people and data did they use? AZERBAIJAN (2008) http://www.icfj.org/OurWork/EasternEuropeCentralAsia/AZAJA/tabid/500/Default.aspx USA Investigative Reporters and Editors http://www.ire.org/extraextra/ Center for Investigative Reporting http://centerforinvestigativereporting.org/articles/whencancopsgainaccesstomypersonalinfoonfacebook
8. Generating ideas… Investigating government Investigating the courts Investigating police Investigating education Investigating businesses Investigating religious and non-profits (NGOs) Investigating financial institutions Investigating health care Investigating utility companies Investigating transportation Investigating environmental issues Investigating real estate Investigating journalism practices/media law
9. Fundamental questions… Money—who has it, who doesn’t and why Relationships—officials/non-officials, supervisors/subordinates Physical and psychological issues and abuses Licensing—who can and who can’t Changes and trends in the community Mistakes or errors made by organizations that have been covered up
10. Investigative Reporting is MORE Not just what’s happening—but why Not just who’s corrupt—but how Not just rumors—but facts Not just the negative aspects of the story—but how to fix it!
11. What are the stories that are crying to be investigated? How do you determine what needs to be investigated? Identify 5 stories Write one-minute speech and 25 words explaining each story What are you investigating? Map the power structure of the primary area your are investigating. Ie. What is the power structure (Names and position) of the education system in this country.
