The Importance and Danger of Investigative Journalism

     Investigative journalism is a significant component of the profession that delves into some of the darkest and most hazardous issues in the world that we live in. Most recently, for example, the BBC attempted to gain unforeseen insight into the policies of North Korea by posing as university students from King’s College London for an episode of ‘Panorama’. However, genuine students from the university were oblivious to the undercover filming and therefore, in mortal jeopardy. But who was at fault? Is watchdog journalism an invaluable education tool or simply an unnecessary and hazardous occupation?

   Although the locations for undercover journalism can be questionable, its practice uncovers topics in the public interest and can be a means of standing out in the overly-populated world of reporters. If a journalist has been struggling to make their name known, unveiling a ground-breaking insight into, or proof of an issue of public concern is sure to enhance their reputation in the blink of an eye. Aside from individual personal gain for correspondents, this type of work can also reveal intimate aspects of secretive cultures, alternative lifestyles and illegal behaviour.

    According to ‘The Elements of Journalism’ by Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel, journalism’s primary obligation is to tell the truth and divulge it to the public.  Despite the fact that watchdog reporting can crossover ethical and moral qualities, their text indicates a duty to the common man. For instance, in 2011, ‘Panorama’ revealed the horrifying truth behind severe mistreatment of care home patients at a facility near Bristol, through secret filming following an anonymous tip-off. The clips unveiled the vile abuse of young, and vulnerable, patients at the private hospital, and also highlighted the necessity for this kind of proof in legal proceedings.

      Investigative journalism tends to be a last resort; when all other avenues of revealing the truth have been attempted. As well as educating viewers it can often be extremely entertaining as well as cost effective in terms of generating revenue. Additionally, there is an excess of negative press for journalists, therefore depicting the good the profession can expose is imperative. Yet some members of the public maintain the mind-set that local news should take precedence over any revelation from abroad.

   

     However, going against this point is the fact a primary prerogative of reporting is to educate readers; illustrate the facts to them and allow them to learn more about the world that they live in and others who live in it with them. Journalistic legends such as Hunter S. Thompson have proved that intimate, and often secret, reporting can allow you to learn more about your subject matter than you ever expected. Thompson is well known for his investigative piece revealing the truth behind the Hell’s Angels- a motorcycle gang from California. He lived with the gang for over a year and truly got to grips with their lifestyle, divulging intimate secrets such as mass drug intake and orgies. Although he has been accused by some of being initiated into becoming an ‘Angel’ himself, his book ‘Hell’s Angels: The Strange and Terrible Saga of the Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs’ uncovers the day to day life of the gang ,and consequentially illustrates that you can’t underestimate the strength of human curiosity.

     Also, Gunter Wallraff exposed the horrific and oppressive conditions faced by hundreds of immigrant workers in Germany. Being German himself, he was able to occupy jobs at German factories and pharmaceutical companies and document certain working environments that so many faced and so few investigated. However dangerous investigative journalism can be, it is utterly imperative for legal proceedings and historical accuracy. Yet it cannot be denied that death, or harm, seems an astoundingly sizeable price to pay for any kind of revelation, whatever its importance.

     ITN’s Terry Lloyd was killed in 2003 in Basra, Iraq as he was covering a report into the British invasion of Iraq. He also broke the news that that Saddam Hussein had used chemical weapons that killed 5000 people in 1988, and in 1999 he became the first journalist to enter Kosovo, Serbia during an inter-ethnic war between Serbian and Albanian citizens. In fact, on average one journalist a week will lose his or her life doing their job.

    There is no doubting the dangers that come with such investigation, however, it is also one of the most integral for enlightening the public about the rest of the world and even saving innocent lives along the way.