8.1 Identifying investigative stories

Investigative journalism uncovers hidden truths and holds power to account. Reporters must cultivate diverse sources, from public records to whistleblowers, to identify stories with high stakes and potential for change.

Strong investigative stories expose wrongdoing, challenge authority, and drive reform. Journalists must rigorously vet leads, corroborate information, and navigate ethical challenges to produce impactful investigations that serve the public interest.

Sources of investigative stories

• Investigative stories originate from a variety of sources that journalists must cultivate and pursue
• Uncovering newsworthy investigative leads requires proactive research, source development, and attentiveness to tips and clues
• Effective investigative journalists cast a wide net and remain open to stories from both expected and unexpected places

Public records and documents

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• Government agencies generate volumes of public records (budgets, contracts, emails, reports) that can reveal important information
• Court filings, property records, and corporate disclosures often contain valuable leads
• Scouring public databases and archives can uncover patterns, anomalies or changes that warrant further investigation
• Freedom of Information laws enable journalists to obtain records that officials may be reluctant to release voluntarily

Whistleblowers and insiders

• Tips from whistleblowers within organizations can expose hidden misconduct, waste or abuse
• Cultivating relationships with insiders who have firsthand knowledge is critical
• Verifying a whistleblower's credibility and motivations is essential before acting on their information
• Providing confidentiality and security measures can encourage whistleblowers to come forward

Data analysis and patterns

• Analyzing large datasets can reveal noteworthy trends, outliers or discrepancies
• Combining data from multiple sources may expose connections or conflicts of interest
• Comparing data over time can show significant changes (sudden spikes in police overtime pay)
• Visualizing data through charts and graphics helps identify reportable patterns

Audience tips and feedback

• Viewers who observe problems in their communities can provide valuable story ideas
• User-generated content (photos, videos, documents) submitted by the audience can jumpstart investigations
• Monitoring social media comments and discussions can surface issues that are concerning to the public
• Providing secure and accessible channels for the audience to contact the newsroom encourages more tips

Characteristics of strong investigative stories

• Not all investigative leads or stories are equally impactful or warranted
• Journalists must evaluate potential investigations based on their significance, scope and feasibility
• The most compelling investigative stories share certain key characteristics that maximize their journalistic value

High stakes and impact

• Investigative stories should address issues that have substantial consequences for individuals, communities or society as a whole
• The scope and scale of the problem being investigated should be significant enough to justify the time and resources required
• Estimating the number of people affected and the severity of the harm caused helps assess a story's potential impact
• Prioritizing stories that have the greatest potential to make a difference and drive change

Uncovers wrongdoing or injustice

• Strong investigative stories shed light on illegal, unethical or abusive conduct that has been hidden from public view
• Exposing corruption, fraud, safety hazards, civil rights violations and other serious misconduct is a core purpose of investigative journalism
• Investigations that reveal systemic failures or patterns of wrongdoing are particularly powerful
• Giving voice to whistleblowers and victims who have been silenced or ignored

Holds powerful accountable

• Investigative stories should scrutinize those who wield power and influence in society (government officials, business leaders, law enforcement)
• Uncovering misdeeds by powerful institutions and individuals is an essential watchdog role of journalism
• Shining a light on abuses of power can lead to accountability, reforms and corrective action
• Investigations that challenge authority and ask tough questions can face significant resistance and pushback

Potential for change and reform

• The most impactful investigative stories don't just expose problems but also spur solutions and improvements
• Prompting changes in laws, policies, practices or personnel can be a key measure of an investigation's success
• Stories that shift public awareness and discourse around an issue can be a catalyst for reform
• Even if change is slow or incremental, investigative reporting plants seeds and lays groundwork for future progress

Vetting and verifying investigative leads

• Not every tip or lead pans out into a viable investigative story
• Journalists must rigorously vet and verify information before investing significant time and resources
• Rushing to pursue an investigation without proper due diligence can lead to wasted efforts or even reputational harm

Assessing credibility of sources

• Evaluating the motives, reliability and access of sources is critical
• Sources with firsthand knowledge or documentation are generally more credible than secondhand accounts
• Checking a source's background, reputation and potential biases helps gauge their trustworthiness
• Anonymous sources require extra verification and should only be used if essential and credible

Corroborating information

• A single source is rarely sufficient for an investigative story; journalists must seek corroboration from multiple independent sources
• Obtaining documents or data to support a source's claims greatly enhances credibility
• Finding sources with different vantage points or roles (an insider and an outside expert) strengthens the evidence
• Information that can't be independently verified may not be suitable for publication

Identifying red flags and dead ends

• Journalists should look out for warning signs that a lead may be flawed or a source may be misleading them
• Changes in a source's account or reluctance to provide promised information can be red flags
• Hitting repeated roadblocks or dead ends in obtaining corroboration can signal problems with the initial lead
• Keeping an open mind and being willing to pivot or abandon an investigation that isn't panning out

Gut instinct vs evidence

• Experienced investigative journalists often have a gut instinct about whether a lead seems promising
• While reporter's intuition can be valuable, it's not a substitute for solid evidence and rigorous verification
• Feelings and hunches still need to be thoroughly vetted and supported by facts
• Being systematic and disciplined about the verification process, even on a story that "feels right"

Pitching investigative stories

• Investigative stories often require substantial investments of time, money and personnel compared to daily reporting
• Convincing editors and news managers to greenlight an investigation requires a thoughtful and persuasive pitch
• A strong pitch lays out the story's importance, roadmap and potential impact while anticipating challenges and concerns

Crafting a compelling pitch

• Distilling the essence of the story into a concise, engaging pitch is key to generating interest and buy-in
• Highlighting what makes this story unique, surprising or significant compared to previous coverage
• Identifying the key characters and stakeholders involved in the story and why viewers will care
• Envisioning the potential scope and arc of the investigation and how it might unfold over time

Anticipating potential roadblocks

• Proactively identifying likely obstacles or challenges in reporting the story (uncooperative sources, legal hurdles)
• Proposing contingency plans or workarounds to address potential roadblocks
• Acknowledging weaknesses or holes in the initial reporting and how they will be addressed
• Demonstrating that due diligence and vetting have been done to ensure the lead is solid and viable

Securing resources and support

• Estimating the time, travel, equipment and personnel likely needed to fully report the story
• Proposing a realistic budget and timeline for the investigation
• Identifying key colleagues or external partners who can contribute skills or knowledge to the project
• Making the case for why this story warrants the resource investment compared to other priorities

Managing expectations and timelines

• Being transparent about the unpredictable nature of investigative reporting and the potential for delays or setbacks
• Proposing milestones and check-in points to assess progress and adapt plans as needed
• Setting realistic expectations about what can be accomplished within the initial scope and timeframe
• Developing a plan for how to roll out the investigation and when to publish or air initial stories vs holding for a larger package

Ethical considerations in investigative journalism

• Investigative reporting often involves high-stakes, sensitive situations that can pose ethical dilemmas and risks
• Upholding ethical standards of accuracy, fairness, accountability and minimizing harm is especially critical on investigative stories
• Carefully navigating ethical gray areas and making principled decisions that balance competing interests and responsibilities

Protecting vulnerable sources

• Ensuring the safety and welfare of sources who may face retribution or harm for sharing information
• Thoroughly discussing potential risks and fallout with sources before they agree to participate
• Taking precautions to protect a source's identity and communications (encryption, secure drop locations)
• Weighing whether publishing certain information could unnecessarily endanger sources even if they consent

Avoiding deception and entrapment

• Gathering information and building trust with sources through transparent, consensual means
• Resisting the temptation to use subterfuge, misrepresentation or "gotcha" tactics to get a story
• Entrapment, or inducing someone to commit a crime they otherwise wouldn't have, is unethical and can undermine a story's credibility
• Undercover reporting is only justified if the information is vital to the public interest and can't be obtained through other means

Navigating legal risks and challenges

• Consulting with legal counsel to assess potential liability risks (libel, privacy, trespassing laws)
• Ensuring that reporting methods are lawful and that the public interest in the information outweighs any breaches of privacy
• Preparing to respond to subpoenas or legal demands to reveal confidential sources or unpublished material
• Weighing the risks of publishing a story against the potential legal costs and consequences

Balancing privacy vs public interest

• Carefully considering whether publishing private or personal information is truly newsworthy and necessary for the story
• Giving individuals a chance to respond to reporting that may damage their reputation or invade their privacy
• Minimizing potential harms to peripheral characters who are not the focus of the investigation
• Evaluating whether the news value and public interest justifies overriding concerns about individual privacy

Collaborating on investigative projects

• Investigative reporting is often a team sport, benefiting from the skills, resources and perspectives of multiple journalists
• Collaboration can happen within a newsroom, across different outlets, or even with outside experts and organizations
• Effective collaboration requires thoughtful coordination, communication and a shared commitment to the story and standards

Benefits of teamwork and partnerships

• Bringing together complementary skills and knowledge (data analysis, source development, visual storytelling)
• Dividing up reporting tasks and responsibilities to cover more ground and work more efficiently
• Providing a sounding board and second set of eyes to vet information and strengthen the story
• Partnerships with other newsrooms can expand the reach, impact and distribution of the investigation

Coordinating roles and responsibilities

• Clearly defining the roles, expectations and deliverables of each team member from the start
• Establishing a shared understanding of journalistic standards, verification protocols and style guidelines
• Agreeing on a process for group decision-making and resolving disagreements that may arise
• Regularly communicating and updating the full team on progress, setbacks and changes in plans

Sharing information and resources

• Using secure, cloud-based platforms to store and share reporting materials (documents, transcripts, audio/video)
• Keeping a centralized database or spreadsheet to track sources, leads and fact-checking
• Agreeing on a system for organizing and tagging files to make them easily searchable and accessible
• Establishing clear ground rules and access controls for sensitive or confidential information

Ensuring consistency and quality control

• Appointing a project manager or editor to oversee the full scope and arc of the investigation
• Setting up a schedule for team check-ins and edits to review progress, identify gaps and maintain the reporting momentum
• Developing a verification checklist to systematically vet and confirm all reporting from team members
• Conducting rigorous fact-checking and copy editing to ensure consistency and accuracy across the project