An investigative journalist is a journalist who looks at a particular subject and carries out in-depth research to carefully document facts to either prove or disprove something. Their work usually involves spending several months, if not years, looking at a topic before writing or broadcasting what they have uncovered for public consumption.
The role of an investigative journalist
As an investigative journalist, your job will be to uncover facts the public should know about and hold elected officials, companies, and others to account. This is often to expose wrongdoing.
Investigative journalism can be very time-consuming, difficult, and risky. If there are people who don’t want you exposing something they would rather keep hidden, you may be threatened with legal action and run the risk of spending months on a story without ending up with anything that can be published; however, the pay-off when you do publish a story that is important to a lot of people is the huge sense of satisfaction it brings, the chance to right wrongs, and even the potential to bring about change.
What skills are needed?
Above all, curiosity and an open mind are vital skills for any investigative journalist. You will also need forensic attention to detail and perseverance. An investigative report is often the result of teamwork, so being able to collaborate is also important. If this is a career you are considering, it is a good idea to check out the journalism courses available at organisations such as the School Of Journalism.
Where do ideas come from?
In a similar way to a news journalist, having a good nose for a story is essential. You will need to recognise when there may be something that needs uncovering. Personal observation of things you come across in daily life may also prove to be a source for a story, as will personal contacts who trust you enough to share information and experiences.
Once a journalist has an idea for an investigative story, they need to convince their editor that it is worthwhile pursuing to get the green light.