Investigative Journalism

Course goals

•        Knowledge of various approaches and methodologies of research journalism
•        Knowledge of most import techniques of research journalism
•        Application of these insights to a specified case study

The following skills are tested in this course
•        Dissemination of scientific results for a broad audience
•        Writing skills
•        Presentation skills


 

Content

Not all research is done in an academic context, and conversely, not all researchers know how to disseminate their results to a broader audience. This course aims to familiarize students with methods and techniques that enable them to operate in a journalistic context while still maintaining academic standards with regard to research.
Investigative journalism distinguishes both from academic research as well as from journalism proper. Unlike regular journalists, and more analogous to academic researchers, investigative journalists spend time to thoroughly research a subject. However, their research project must meet specific preconditions that academic research does not need to. At the same time, investigative journalists have an obligation towards their readers, who are for the most part neither academics nor knowledgeable about the subject, and towards the editors of their journal. In short, investigative journalism operates in a specific field, which has very specific requirements.
In this course, students learn
(1) The differences between various forms of journalism. Each form has its own goals, investigative techniques, and discursive styles.
(2) Specific techniques that relate to investigative journalism, including research ethics in journalism, and interview techniques.
(3) Translating academic findings into journalistic products.
Students will work on their own investigative research project during this course. The end product is a finished journalistic piece that meets the criteria of a publishable article, being a highly informative, very readable as well as commercially interesting journalistic ‘long read’. Students will moreover learn to pitch their project in a brief (6 min.) presentation, to arouse interest in their project.