1. Investigative Reporting
An Overview
IR,Ppt1a

2. Before You Begin Planning precedes writing.
You can’t write if you can’t think.
Every story has a central idea. Everything else flows from it.
If what you want to say isn’t clear to you, don’t expect it to be clear to your reader.
“Clear Thinking = Good Writing”
IR,Ppt1a

3. Elements of Journalism
Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth.
Its first loyalty is to citizens.
Its essence is a discipline of verification.
Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover.
It must serve as an independent monitor of power.
IR,Ppt1a

4. Element of Journalism
6. It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise.
7. It must strive to make the significant interesting and relevant.
8. It must keep the news comprehensive and proportional.
9. Its practitioners must be allowed to exercise their personal conscience.
From “The Elements of Journalism” by Bill Kovach & Tom Rosenstiel
IR,Ppt1a

5. The Journalist 1. A source of reliable information
2. A monitor and watchdog
3. Enhances citizenship
4. Helps strengthen democracy
5. A public servant
IR,Ppt1a

6. Investing Reporting Basics
Element of exposé
Uncovering what others want to keep secret
Long period of research
IR,Ppt1a

7. Investing Reporting Basics cont..
Following the paper trail and the people trail
Tedious, persistent, thorough work
Shapes policy through ground-breaking work
IR,Ppt1a

8. Obstacles in Doing Investigative Reporting
Access to records and officials
Getting sources to speak on the record, even to speak
Physical threats
Libel
Uncooperative and protective gov’t bureaucracy
Story used for partisan purposes
IR,Ppt1a

9. Obstacles in Doing Investigative Reporting cont…
Libel
Uncooperative and protective gov’t bureaucracy
Story used for partisan purposes
IR,Ppt1a