Investigative journalism is the art of discovering the truth, and identifying lapses of it through the media that is available to us. It is critical, and thorough journalism. Investigative journalists have been known as custodians of conscience; their job is to hold breaches of society's morals and norms up to scrutiny. They must expose and hold accountable public institutions and personalities who commit these breaches. They are advocates for social justice; they give power to the powerless and a voice to the silenced.
Investigative journalism is part of the fourth estate; their ability to be watchdogs for injustice make them a crucial part of a well-functioning society.
There are many historical investigations undertaken by journalists which have changed the world. A particularly investigation in Australian history began with an ABC Four Corners episode, 'The Moonlight State'. Chris Masters investigated the corruption within the Queensland Police Force, all the way up to the dirty deeds of the Police Commissioner, involving allegations of gambling and prostitution. This, along with a series of Courier Mail reports by Phil Dickie, sparked a judicial inquiry presided over by Tony Fitzgerald QC. The result was the entire breakdown of the 32 year strong National Party of Australia, the disposition of a premier, the imprisonment of three former ministers and a police commissioner, as well as two by-elections. This is a prime example of just how pivotal a great piece of journalism can be for a society, and just how important the job of an investigative journalist is.
Investigative journalism media nowadays includes programs such as Australian Story (and of course Four Corners), the website 'The Global Mail', and the Courier Mail often partakes.
The future threat for investigative journalism is that there is not enough funding to go into it's purposes, with free news so readily available in so many different places on the internet. This is an incredibly sad issue, and one that needs to be rectified if the integrity of journalism is to be upheld in the future. This kind of journalism has the power to change whole societies and even the world, and if journalists become unable to keep an eye on public figures and what they do behind closed doors, then who will be able?
Bill Birnbauer, lecturer at Monash University, suggests some interesting views on alternate models for investigate journalism, and how it can continue with integrity in to the future - including non for profit investigative journalism organisations, and collaborations between news organisation and university journalism departments. Inspiring ideas like this and more are developed and discussed at annual Investigative Journalism conferences held at different locations around the world - most recently in Germany, Hanburg, only last week (June 1-2).
The Age has a whole section of their site dedicated to current journalistic investigations being carried out in Australia - check it out here.
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