50192 Investigative Journalism

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences: Journalism
Credit points: 8 cp
Result Type: Grade, no marks

Requisite(s): 50115 Journalism 2 OR 50235 Journalism 2 OR 57011 Research and Reporting for Journalism

Handbook description

This subject introduces students to a particular style of reporting which probes deeper than most daily journalism. The subject is designed first, to demonstrate a variety of practical research techniques, especially the use of public records; second, to show the distinctiveness of investigative reporting; and third and most importantly, to give students a chance to practise the skills and approaches of investigative journalism through developing stories of their own.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On completion of this subject students should be able to

recognise what distinguishes investigative journalism from other journalism.
develop their own ideas for investigative projects.
develop skills in finding and interviewing a wide range of sources.
employ a range of investigative research techniques
develop appropriate narrative and presentation techniques necessary to produce compelling in depth journalism.
demonstrate an understanding of the role of investigative journalism in a democratic society and an appreciation of its practical link to the concept of the 'public right to know'.

Contribution to graduate profile

The subject will contribute to a graduate profile by ensuring that students:

can apply advanced professional skills and knowledge across all media: print, television,
understand the role which investigative journalism plays in the history, philosophy, ethical and cultural foundations underpinning journalism
understand the importance of investigative and critical journalism
seek opportunities to make significant intellectual and creative contributions to the social, political and cultural life of the communities in which they live
have strong research skills and effectively retrieve and analyse information from a range of sources
have a critical understanding of issues of gender, racism, ethnicity, disability and class and the way these are linked to issues of media representation, production and reception
have an understanding of and commitment to ethical journalism practice

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is delivered through seminars, workshops, practical assignments in the field, and practical exercises. There is an emphasis on lecturers sharing their own professional experience with students and students developing their own professional practice through experience in developing projects and peer feedback.

Content

The subject begins by exploring the nature of investigative journalism through seminars. Specific topics that are addressed include political funding and pecuniary interests; the use of confidential sources and developing story ideas. Students are introduced to a range of research techniques which are used by investigative journalists including searching for information about companies and land, and the use of freedom of information legislation. Students do presentations of an exercise around searching the Public Record for information. While these skills are being developed, students develop their own story ideas and workshop drafts in class. Issues of how to communicate complex information to audiences, the presentation of story and the development of appropriate narrative techniques are covered in later sessions. The subject finishes with workshops on major story assignments.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: A Public Right to Know project

Objectives	c, d and f
Value	15%
Due	End of semester
Task	The assessment task is linked to the Australian Centre for Independent Journalism's Public Right to Know project. Investigative journalists need to know what information is available to the public and to be able to access it as efficiently as possible. They also need to understand the relevance of access to information to the rights of citizens in a democracy. In this assignment, students develop and practice research skills relevant to information provision in a particular field – eg. Property; local government. They then produce reports which are filed on UTS On line which evaluate the accessibility of information in this field. Students then use these reports to develop a broader analysis of contemporary access to information issues and their relevance to investigative journalism.
Assessment criteria	Evidence of ability to access information efficiently from a range of sources. Evidence of understanding of links between investigative journalism and broader notions relevant to democracy. Evidence of ability to provide information with clarity and accuracy.

Assessment item 2: An investigative story

Objectives	a, b, c
Value	25%
Due	Week 5
Task	You will be assigned within the class to carry out research into the theme of injustice. After preliminary research to establish stories or angles within the broader theme, students will produce a short report (1200 words) relevant to the theme. First you need to identify an issue (eg homelessness, poor working conditions, rip offs etc) in this broad area. Second, interview lots of people and get background information from relevant organisations. Then identify and write a story using this information.
Assessment criteria	quality of intro and overall writing style; the use of previously unpublished information of social significance use of multiple interviews and appropriate quotes; depth of research of background information; strength of evidence credibility, variety and quantity of sources; ability to develop a coherent and appropriate narrative structure

Assessment item 3: (i) A research plan for the major story

Objectives	b, c, d, e
Value	20%
Due	Week 8

Assessment item 3: (ii) An investigative story

Objectives	b, c, d, e
Value	40%
Due	Week 14
Task	Major story will be a longer piece of investigative journalism which can be presented in any medium. Students can choose to develop a story within the First Assignment theme or choose a fresh story. As soon as students have an idea for this major assignment they should discuss it with their lecturer and begin preliminary research. Students who are working in print should develop stories of approximately 2,500 words. It may be possible to follow a story idea linked to the theme of your first assignment but this must be a separate story and any overlap must be negotiated in advance with your lecturer. Students who choose to do radio, television or internet stories will need to have the necessary technical skills and will need to arrange access to equipment. The length or scope of these assignments should be negotiated with the lecturer. In completing this assignment students will explore the nature of investigative journalism, develop skills in finding and developing investigative story ideas, develop an assignment based on a wide range of sources, use research techniques appropriate for investigative journalism and develop narrative techniques appropriate to investigative story telling.
Assessment criteria	quality of intro and overall writing style; the use of previously unpublished information of social significance use of multiple interviews and appropriate quotes; depth of research of background information; strength of evidence credibility, variety and quantity of sources; ability to develop a coherent and appropriate narrative structure

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g., illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Indicative references

The emphasis in the course is on you developing your own hands-on in-depth reporting experience. Library resources about Investigative reporting can provide you with an insight into the history of investigative journalism, hints about how to do investigative reporting and many good examples of investigative story telling.

You will find many useful links in the UTS On Line Investigative Journalism Course site. This includes copies of some important Australian stories in Course Documents. Explore the site.

There is a good collection of books about Investigative Journalism in the UTS Library. If you are interested in the recent history of Investigative Journalism in the United States, you will be interested in: Aucoin, James L. (2005) Evolution of American Investigative Journalism University of Missouri Press. It is available as an electronic book in the UTS Library. Tanner, Stephen (2002) Journalism : investigation and research Longman provides some useful background about Australian Investigative reports.

Other reading can be found on E readings in the UTS Library.

We will use a Course blog and group emails to alert you to important stories or relevant issues that occur during semester. We strongly encourage you to monitor the media for examples of actual and potential investigative stories and ideas for your own stories.