Wednesday, 13 June 2012

PI or Journalism

(Week Eleven “Investigative Journalism”)
                PI: the word often comes to mind accompanied by the Pink Panther theme song, some sneaky movements and definitely some beady eyes. To investigate a story, one has got to become a detective based on the five “in’s” of investigation (much like the five w’s of lead writing). These are:

Intelligent: Research

Informed: Be Knowledgeable

Intuitive: Know what to do

Inside: Get involved, be trusted, be intimate

Invest: Take Risks

Instead of thinking, “That sounds like hard work,” I was confused. Should not all journalism then be investigative journalism? What sets it apart? According to the words of Ross Coulhart, there is not apparent distinction. He claims that “All good journalism should be investigative journalism,” and I must agree. With any story, although the need for in-depth research may be unnecessary, the five in’s must be observed to make sure that the story is being represented accurately. To leave any of these in’s out would be discrediting not only to the story but to the journalist telling the story too. The idea of Investigative journalism offers a critique on modern day media and commercial journalism as when I compare the articles on the depth and the interesting angles presented in investigative journalism like the Global Mail and compare that to the Age or another commercial media,  I am astounded at the remarkable difference where there really should be none.

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