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Investigative and In-depth reporting

Investigative and In-depth reporting. Articles that deal with important issues with substance and depth. What both journalism and democracy need right now are new economic models to support the work involved with bringing forth in-depth, multimedia news'

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Investigative and In-depth reporting

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  1. Investigative and In-depth reporting Articles that deal with important issues with substance and depth

  2. What both journalism and democracy need right now are new economic models to support the work involved with bringing forth in-depth, multimedia news' Charles Lewis, Nieman Reports, Spring 2008

  3. Terms to know • In depth reporting • Watergate • News-brief • Nut graf

  4. News Daily or weekly newspaper reporters Immediate, breaking news covering article Final product article Investigative Free lance, newspapers, wire services Weeks, months, years spent developing article Final product series of articles, expose Differences between investigative and news reporting

  5. In depth Purpose is to offer concentrated in-depth information on a given issue or topic Ex: What the investor Madoff charged with embezzlement and fraud actually did and how it will impact investors and the economy; Investigative Purpose is to discover truth and identify lapses from it in whatever media may be available. (DeBurgh) Why the SEC did not investigate Madoff despite red flags Differences between in-depth and investigative

  6. Writing the In-depth story • Good beginnings—introductions rather than leads. • Longer pieces need to be set up • Paragraphs 1-3 function together as a lead • Can begin with anecdote, startling statement • After the intro—introduce the real theme • Nut graf—internal lead

  7. Local angle • Take national or city news and give it an in-depth look by seeing how it affects students • Ex: story on cloning –include the AP Biology’s research into genetics or local universities discoveries

  8. Strong endings • Cannot just end • Must be wrapped up • Returns to idea of the lead • Comes full circle • Can use quote on the issue of the intro

  9. Packaging the in-depth story • Do not use one long column of type • Extract mainbar, main story • Place the sidebar near section of main story to which it relates • Excessive or confusing statistics should be translated into a bar graph or pie chart • Photos that enhance understanding of issue

  10. Example of packaging • Mainbar—teen driving/accidents • Chart—accidents with teens/accidents with older drivers • Chart—insurance costs • Chart –accidents before changes in permits, licenses • Sidebar about driving while texting • Photos of teens driving with phones • Sidebar about driving with others

  11. In-depth checklist • Does the subject warrant in-depth treatment? • Are scenes, anecdotes and local angles used to involve reader in the story? • If story runs several issues does each piece deal with a different aspect of the story? • Are charts and other info graphics used appropriately and effectively?

  12. Problems with investigative reporting • Yellow journalism--

  13. Yellow Journalism downplays legitimate news in favor of eye-catching headlines that sell more newspapers. It may feature exaggerations of news events Scandal mongering, Sensationalism Unprofessionalism

  14. Remember the Maine William Randolph Hearst "Please remain. You furnish the pictures, I'll furnish the war."

  15. Role of journalists in Spanish-American war • Maine moored off the coast of Cuba • Explosion, ship sinks • Navy never able to explain explosion • 254 seamen dead • 59 sailors injured

  16. Minor revolt in Cuba • Journalists sent to cover “death camps” • Publishers Hearst and Pulitzer competing for circulation sent reporters and photographers to cover skirmish • Stephen Crane and Frederick Remington among them. • Remerick reported, “No war, request to be recalled”

  17. Remember the Maine William Randolph Hearst "Please remain. You furnish the pictures, I'll furnish the war."

  18. Right to know vs. right to privacy • Authentic journalists struggle with this • Funerals, weddings, illnesses • Names of juveniles? • Names of rape victims? • Personal life? NYU--reporters should not inquire into sources' personal lives unless doing so is relevant to the story they are researching

  19. What can private citizens do? • Protected by the Bill of Rights • Can sue for “Invasion of Privacy” • Cannot sue for libel in most cases • (Must be false information to be considered libel)

  20. Who is not protected? • Congress—while the members are in session; cameras record all Congressional transactions in the chambers.

  21. High school journalism and in depth reporting • In-depth articles should have local angle as well as consideration of the audience. • Example: • Good student newspapers dig; therefore the enemy of good high school journalism is___________ • Emphasize the why and how in in-depth stories

  22. Summary • 4 main elements—good, enticing beginning, nut graf as internal lead, solid conclusion that wraps up and returns to lead • Packaging is important to capture and maintain interest in longer, more involved pieces • There is a difference between investigative and in-depth

  23. REMEMBER

  24. Woodstein did not become a journalistic icon because they got lucky—investigative reporting requires hard work, persistence, and an obsession with checking the details.

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