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Where are the success stories of investigative journalism?

Investigative journalism is considered the highest form of reporting as it serves the public by exposing lies. Investigative reporters are the lone wolves seeking the truth against all obstacles – but is it only an image?

The assumption that investigative reporting can be an agent for social change is widespread – not only among journalists, but also within the general public. It demonstrates the idealized relationship between the so-called fourth estate and the audience: journalists draw the public attention to the abuse of power, the sovereign, the people react by demanding justice, the elected representatives take corrective actions.

In this way, investigative reporting illustrates the democratic process in its purest form. This image of investigative journalists has been further reinforced by the popular culture since the underdog who fights in the cause of justice, is loved. But isn’t that perspective rather a product of fiction?

The idealized notion is based on the perceived effects of the famous, journalistic investigations during the 1960s and 1970s. Watergate and, to a lesser extent, My Lai are still terms that nourish beliefs in the power of the media. In reality, their power is rather limited even if investigative journalists themselves insist that it is the only profession which has the opportunity to research – independently from any political, social or economical group – into the misconducts of the powerful.

Nevertheless, journalists lack subpoena powers to reveal hidden information. Moreover, money and time restrict their possibilities for systematic work. The majority of investigative reporting relies on tips and leaks, consequently. The public’s need to know about institutional failures has been rather seldom the trigger for major investigations.

Of course, it can be argued that the reliance on leaks does not devalue the investigative work as the journalist still has to find documents and further sources to substantiate the accusations. But even the most convinced reporter cannot deny that most of the famous success stories of investigative journalism are based on leaks from inside the powerful groups.

The Watergate scandal, which appears to be a synonym for investigative journalism, probably would not have broken out without the secret material delivered by Mark Felt. The massacre of My Lai would have gone unnoticed most likely if it hadn’t been for some soldiers who were willing to speak about the events.

Nevertheless, the stories were sold and perceived as the outcome of admirable investigative journalism which allegedly forced the resignation of presidents and changed public opinion about war efforts. However, only few commentators critically engaged with the assumed impact that was attributed to the media.

In most cases the surrounding thoughts were based on anecdotal evidence, provided by the investigative journalists themselves who merely described their way to the story, their struggle to reveal the truth – contributing, thereby, further to the folklore around investigative journalism.

Posted in | 27.08.2010

By: Simon Schmitt, Germany