You have 3 free guides left 😟
Unlock your guides2.2 Evaluating story potential and feasibility
2 min read•july 24, 2024
Investigative journalism requires careful planning and ethical considerations. Reporters must define their story's , identify key sources, and assess potential impacts while managing resources effectively.
Legal and ethical challenges are paramount in investigative work. Journalists must navigate risks like , protect sources, and consider the consequences of their reporting while striving for accuracy and public interest.
Story Evaluation and Planning
Scope of investigative stories
Top images from around the web for Scope of investigative stories
THE FATAL BLUEPRINT OF CORRUPTION | Clamor World View original
Is this image relevant?
Editor’s Pick: 2022’s Best Investigative Stories from Sub-Saharan Africa – Global Investigative ... View original
Is this image relevant?
2022’s Best Investigative Stories from Turkey – Global Investigative Journalism Network View original
Is this image relevant?
THE FATAL BLUEPRINT OF CORRUPTION | Clamor World View original
Is this image relevant?
Editor’s Pick: 2022’s Best Investigative Stories from Sub-Saharan Africa – Global Investigative ... View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Scope of investigative stories
THE FATAL BLUEPRINT OF CORRUPTION | Clamor World View original
Is this image relevant?
Editor’s Pick: 2022’s Best Investigative Stories from Sub-Saharan Africa – Global Investigative ... View original
Is this image relevant?
2022’s Best Investigative Stories from Turkey – Global Investigative Journalism Network View original
Is this image relevant?
THE FATAL BLUEPRINT OF CORRUPTION | Clamor World View original
Is this image relevant?
Editor’s Pick: 2022’s Best Investigative Stories from Sub-Saharan Africa – Global Investigative ... View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- Define central focus pinpointing main issue or problem and key players involved (government corruption, corporate malfeasance)
- Assess potential evaluating local, regional, or national significance and potential for social or policy change (environmental regulations, healthcare reform)
- Estimate considering number of interconnected elements and depth of research required (financial fraud investigations, long-term public health studies)
- Consider and examining connection to current events and long-term importance of the issue (election integrity, climate change effects)
Sources for story information
- Categorize types differentiating between (direct witnesses, original documents) and (experts, analysts)
- Develop comprehensive source list including key individuals involved, field experts, and potential whistleblowers or insiders
- Identify and utilizing government documents, court records, and corporate filings
- Evaluate online resources exploring social media platforms, digital archives, and specialized databases (LexisNexis, ProPublica Data Store)
Resource Management and Ethics
Resources for investigative pursuits
- Estimate breaking down research phase, interviewing process, and writing/fact-checking stages
- Evaluate calculating travel expenses, public records fees, and potential legal costs
- Determine needed including data analysis software (SPSS, R), secure communication platforms (Signal, SecureDrop), and digital storage solutions
- Assess identifying reporters with specific expertise, data analysts, and multimedia producers
Legal and ethical considerations
- Identify potential examining defamation and , , and
- Consider weighing , methods, and potential
- Assess need for planning and understanding relevant laws (, Freedom of Information Act)
- Evaluate potential consequences analyzing impact on investigation subjects, public reaction/backlash, and long-term effects on sources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.
