ABSTRACT

This book offers new insights into the crucial role of investigative journalism at a pivotal time of technological changes and upheavals. It surveys innovations and unexpected impacts of the field, from past and present challenges and what may be in store for the future of the industry.

The book begins by exploring the increasingly investigative innovations in political and independent reporting, along with a comparison of the rhetoric and reality of a so-called golden era of investigative journalism in the past and the present. It goes on to analyse the growth of creative and sports investigative reporting, as well as the ability of contemporary conflict journalism to overcome surmounting challenges. It also examines the capacity of groundbreaking investigations, including data reporting, to expose injustices involving women, indigenous communities and other minorities. In interviews with key industry and research professionals, this book presents the reactions of four media experts to the crises faced by investigative journalism in a digital environment of escalating disinformation, legal restrictions and popular interest in the news. The book concludes by reflecting on previous and current challenges and offers insights into the prospect for investigative journalism of the future.

Presenting unique views on the diversity, resilience and transformative power of investigative journalism, this book will be a valuable resource to students and scholars of journalism, communication, media and politics, as well as professionals already operating within the field of journalism.

chapter 1|15 pages

Introduction

ByCaryn Coatney

chapter 2|15 pages

A golden age?

Myths and meaning
ByCaryn Coatney

chapter 3|15 pages

Global collaborative investigative journalism

George Seldes and the mid-twentieth century antecedents of the Panama Papers practices
ByHelen Fordham

chapter 4|17 pages

Investigative journalism

A system of creativity
ByJanet Fulton

chapter 5|21 pages

Reckoning with investigative journalism and Indigenous news in Australia 1

ByDavid Nolan, Alanna Myers, Kerry McCallum, Jack Latimore

chapter 6|16 pages

Investigative journalism in sport

ByPeter English

chapter 7|14 pages

Citizen+Journalist

ByJohn Cokley

chapter 9|15 pages

Data investigations

A humanitarian turn
ByCaryn Coatney

chapter 10|20 pages

From Watergate to Trump world — the declining power of scandals

ByDavid Smith, Rodney Tiffen

chapter 11|12 pages

Conversations with Danielle Cronin, Philip Howard and Julian Thomas

ByCaryn Coatney

chapter 12|3 pages

Afterword

ByCaryn Coatney