Investigative Reporting Skills

Investigative reporting skills require in-depth and thoroughly researched material in order to create valid and creditable stories for the general public.  Investigative reporters begin with a hypothesis with an open mind, since stories can lead to different results after putting in hours of research.  According to Houston (2009), “The best investigative journalists collect both supports and contradictory evidence for a story.  They then weigh carefully what the evidence shows” (p. 4).  While the leg work may be considered tedious to some, the end result is an informative story that will appeal to the general public.  Taking the time to research and discover the truth behind a story allows for future opportunities not necessarily discovered when the original topic was approached.  It is important to have the physical evidence to prior to interviews and aid in developing questions associated with the story.  The background information is just as important as ongoing coverage.  It is even possible to uncover other stories while researching, something that may have been missed.  “The search for investigative ideas is ‘unending…Ideas can come ‘from anywhere’-legal advertisement, estate sales, bankruptcy notices, transfers of business executives, company and professional newsletters” (Houston, 2009, p. 10).  The key to investigative reporting is curiosity with an open mind, where the rabbit hole may take journalists and led to stories never discovered before. 

            Based on this understanding, it is clear to be how investigative reporting skill can help with writing a story.  Being able to provide the correct information on a story allows for accurate reporting and most importantly ensuring the public is fully aware of the facts that lead to the truth.  If reporters are not able to validate a source of information it could led to misunderstanding and misrepresentations.  The reputation of a reporter is one of the key points to gaining the trust of the public for providing creditable information.  If reporters take the time to research the past and present topic it can also led them to develop a future coverage.  Investigative reporting skills are necessary to ensure journalists are providing the best information possible. 

Reference

Houston, B. (2009). The investigative reporter’s handbook: A guide to documents, databases and techniques (5th). Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin