In a digital and globalizing world, investigative journalism is undergoing a significant transformation. While the fundamentals – commitment to truth, courage, and fairness, and an eye for detail – remain steadfast, the advent of technology is heralding a new epoch. Today, investigative reporters are leveraging the power of digital tools and data analysis to unravel stories in a manner that, just a few years ago, would not have been possible.
The landscape of news gathering and reporting has seen a substantial shift with the introduction of multi-dimensional collaborative tools that are providing journalists, researchers, and data scientists with more extensive resources. The media landscape that once consisted of single-team investigations has evolved into a cohesive network of cross-boundary collaborations.
These transformative technology tools are helping investigative journalists better source information, verify facts, communicate with their teams, and analyze vast quantities of data for deep investigative research. While technology cannot replace the rigors of footwork or the knack for a good story, it is dramatically expanding the scope of what’s possible.
One of the key shifts in investigative journalism tactics is an increasing emphasis on collaboration. Journalists worldwide are increasingly joining hands, transcending geographical boundaries, and sharing resources to expose systemic injustice and reveal the truth. Collaboration has become a cornerstone of modern investigative journalism, a necessity compelled by the increasingly globalized nature of many of the issues reporters now face.
A notable example of cross-border collaboration in investigative journalism is the Panama Papers investigation – an unprecedented global expose of the offshore financial industry. This probe leveraged collaborative tools extensively and opened a global conversation on tax avoidance and evasion. A team of 370 journalists from 80 countries worked on the report, delving into 11.5 million documents leaked from the Panama-based law firm Mossack Fonseca.
The rise of data journalism is also reshaping the landscape of investigative reporting. The use of data analysis allows journalists to sift through vast amounts of information in relatively little time, unearthing trends, patterns, and stories that might have otherwise remained hidden. The combination of technology, collaboration, and data-driven investigative journalism is perhaps best exemplified by the Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative piece, “The Storm Lake Times.”
In this small Iowa newsroom, Art Cullen leveraged data to connect farming practices with water pollution. Through rigorous analysis, he tracked the biggest culprits of nitrate pollution back to farming corporations. His work showcased the raw power of data in propelling investigative journalism and the local newspaper’s critical role in holding those with power accountable.
Indeed, while physical distance may divvy up news organizations, collaboration tools and data analysis are effectively bridging that divide, making a powerful combination that is changing investigative journalism’s face. The reach of news stories has been extended, and their impact magnified. Collaboration in investigative journalism is growing, and the results are indisputable: more in-depth, more impactful stories are emerging, compelling those in power to take notice.
Social media platforms, data visualization tools, secure communication channels are, today, essential parts of every investigative journalist’s tool box. As we move further into the digital age, the function and utility of these tools are bound to evolve even further. There’s an exciting new chapter on the horizon for investigative journalism, one wrought with collaboration and powered by data analysis.
In the years ahead, we can expect to see a surge in the use of technology in investigative journalism. As tools become more sophisticated, they will not merely aid journalists in their investigations but will become integral parts of the investigative process. It’s a future where every piece of data holds a story waiting to be told, and every story will be strengthened by the vast potential of collaborative effort.
Sources:
1. The Mechanic Muse – The Panama Papers and the Power of the Collaborative Model, April 15, 2016, – www.nytimes.com
2. Data Journalism Awards, 2017 – ‘The Storm Lake Times’ – www.datajournalism.com
3. International Consortium of Investigative Journalists – ‘The Panama Papers: Exposing the Rogue Offshore Finance Industry,’ April 3, 2016 – www.icij.org
4. The Future of local News: The rise of funded investigative reporting and the decline of newspaper journalism – www.tandfonline.com
5. The Value of Data Journalism – www.dw.com
