Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, such as serious crimes, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years researching and preparing a report. Investigative journalism is a primary source of information. Most investigative journalism is conducted by newspapers, wire services, and freelance journalists. Practitioners sometimes use the term "accountability reporting".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Investigative_journalism |
1. Albuquerque's own Larry Barker (KRQE 13) can teach us a thing or two about investigative reporting. Watch an example of his reporting style HERE.
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2. What Does an Investigative Journalist DO?We'll review this Slideshare Presentation to learn more about the focus and agenda that most Investigative Reporters share. Download a copy of THIS document to answer 8 questions. When done, save with YOUR NAME in the FILE NAME and submit using the form below.
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3. What makes a story NEWSWORTHY, anyway?Okay, here's the ugly truth---not everyone wants to hear every story out there. So, how do we decide WHICH stories to tell, and HOW to tell them? THIS ARTICLE is a helpful guide to get you closer to making those tough decisions.
Start a WORD file, and list the 5 Factors from the article, with a short definition in your own words. Save the file to your Desktop. Watchdog Vs. Investigative Reporting
In an age when almost any kind of story can be trumpeted as “investigative,” it’s worth asking what really distinguishes investigations from everyday reporting. So what are the characteristics of a true investigative story? Click HERE to learn more...
Open your WORD file, and list the 8 Characteristics of a TRUE Investigative Story. Save the changes to your file. |
4. You've Got Issues!
Let's face it, we're all connected to the world we live in, and that world is jam-packed with ISSUES---fodder for your Investigative Report. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Is there something going on in your school or neighborhood community? It's time to use media tools as agents of change! We'll discuss potential topics and try to choose some "do-able" stories. Then, you'll develop your "angle". Open your WORD file. Write down your topic, and then answer each of the following.
Email to me at [email protected] |
5. Okay, I've got my "Story". How do I build my Report?
You're actually going to build a "News Package". Click HERE for a basic (graded) tutorial. Once we've had a chance to discuss the components of a News Package, and analyze an example, go HERE for an advanced (graded) tutorial.
What's your Re/Source?
Much the same way you would collect Primary and Secondary Sources for an English paper, you'll need to collect Sources for your story: People, Facts, Historical Information (Context), Locations and more.
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6. Preparing to Conduct an Interview
- Take your cue from an expert: Katie Couric, longtime CBS news host and journalist, talks about what makes for a good interview. Watch THIS VIDEO and answer the 6 questions embedded in the video. This is a 6-point graded assignment.
- Practice interviewing a classmate using the questions you have devised. Which questions gave you the information you were looking for? Which questions "bombed"?
- Revise your interview questions based on #2.
7. Active Interviewing
Now that you have some practice, you will be evaluated on your interviewing skills. You and your partner will take turns doing the following:
- Set up a camera, tripod and microphone (wireless or shotgun--whatever's available).
- Choose a location for your interview. Avoid windows and noisy, high-traffic locations.
- Conduct your interview (either standing or seated) following the Evaluation Rubric . Download the Rubric HERE and review it. I will observe you as you work.
- You'll need to pretend that your partner is someone involved in your subject; don't worry if their responses aren't perfect. Use this as an opportunity to develop follow-up questions.
- Upload your footage to your Google Drive; rename the file with both your names and Share it to me at: [email protected]
8. Time to do some Research
As you've discovered in your reading about Investigative Reports, you will have to do some basic Research on your topic. Use the resources you gave me, as well as a basic Google search to come up with possible sources. Here's what you must do:
- Start a new Google Doc. Still not sure how to do this? Follow THESE 3 EASY STEPS
- In your Google Doc, list 5 facts about your topic that are relevant to your local audience and your story. These should be FACTS, not opinions, and should be easy to integrate into your script. For example, if your story is on student homelessness in APS, you would want to include the fact that around 3,500 APS students are homeless at any given time. This is a powerful, attention-getting fact that informs your audience about your topic AND grabs their attention.
- Find and list at least 1 public organization involved in your topic. I've given you some suggestions, but feel free to ask questions if you're stuck. For example, if I were doing an investigative report on toxins in our water supply, I would contact the Albuquerque/Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority: http://abcwua.org/ .
- Find a contact name & information for that public organization. Put that info in your Google Doc, along with an explanation of how they are related to your topic.
- Find and download a high-resolution image that represents that organization---might be a logo, or a photo of their building. Make sure you copy and paste the web address where you got the picture. Paste both the picture and the address in your Google File.
- In your Google Doc, write a "script" for an email or phone call to that individual. Introduce yourself and explain your assignment, and ask if you can meet with them or interview them over the phone. Set a date and time; preferably during class so I can assist you. If it's an interview, you will have to check out equipment---unless you can sweet-talk them into coming here! ;)
- I will proofread your script, and then you will email/call this individual. Have several questions prepared, in case they are willing to talk to you immediately.
- Share your Google Doc to me at: [email protected] for 12 points.
#9 Story Outline
You'll find it helpful to create a Story Outline for your Investigative Report, kind of the same way you outline an essay for English class. Organize your topic, guiding question, facts and resources to make your story "flow"....The best thing to do is to pose your main question toward the very beginning of the story, and then work toward answering your question by presenting interviews (sound bites), facts, resources, Vo-Sots and cover footage in a persuasive combination. Create a new file in your Google Docs like this:
I. Topic Introduction: Name your topic and location
I. Topic Introduction: Name your topic and location
- Description of Stand-up or Cover Footage with Vo-Sot introducing yourself and location
- State your "Big Question"
- Toss to facts with cover footage or an interview sound bite (name it)
- Two facts they will give
- One solution they might suggest
- Transition to a leading question
- A fact that will inform your audience and persuade them to come to a conclusion about your topic or ask a deeper question
- Imagery that DIRECTLY relates to your topic (describe it)
- Should guide viewers toward a conclusion
- Gives supporting details or examples
- Transitions to cue the viewer that your story is concluding and a decision needs to be made
- Synthesize/Summarize for your audience by restating your "Big Question"
- State your conclusions for the audience