1st Edition
Investigative Journalism in Changing Times Australian and Anglo-American Reporting
This book offers new insights into the crucial role of investigative journalism at a pivotal time of technological changes and upheavals. It surveys innovations and unexpected impacts of the field, from past and present challenges and what may be in store for the future of the industry.
The book begins by exploring the increasingly investigative innovations in political and independent reporting, along with a comparison of the rhetoric and reality of a so-called golden era of investigative journalism in the past and the present. It goes on to analyse the growth of creative and sports investigative reporting, as well as the ability of contemporary conflict journalism to overcome surmounting challenges. It also examines the capacity of groundbreaking investigations, including data reporting, to expose injustices involving women, indigenous communities and other minorities. In interviews with key industry and research professionals, this book presents the reactions of four media experts to the crises faced by investigative journalism in a digital environment of escalating disinformation, legal restrictions and popular interest in the news. The book concludes by reflecting on previous and current challenges and offers insights into the prospect for investigative journalism of the future.
Presenting unique views on the diversity, resilience and transformative power of investigative journalism, this book will be a valuable resource to students and scholars of journalism, communication, media and politics, as well as professionals already operating within the field of journalism.
1: Introduction
Caryn Coatney
2: A golden age? Myths and meaning
Caryn Coatney
3: Global collaborative investigative journalism: George Seldes and the mid-twentieth century antecedents of the Panama Papers practices
Helen Fordham
4: Investigative journalism: A system of creativity
Janet Fulton
5: Reckoning with investigative journalism and Indigenous news in Australia
David Nolan, Alanna Myers, Kerry McCallum and Jack Latimore
6: Investigative journalism in sport
Peter English
7: Citizen+Journalist
John Cokley
8: Investigative journalism and the new ‘public interest’ defence to defamation
Mark Pearson
9: Data investigations: A humanitarian turn
Caryn Coatney
10: From Watergate to Trump world – the declining power of scandals
David Smith and Rodney Tiffen
11: Conversations with Danielle Cronin, Philip Howard and Julian Thomas
Caryn Coatney
Afterword
Caryn Coatney
Biography
Dr Caryn Coatney is a Journalism Lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland. She has been an investigative news journalist in Australia and internationally and worked in many fields of communication extensively. Her journalism research has won global awards and has appeared in numerous journals and publications.
‘A major new book about the evolution and role of investigative journalism in Australian and Anglo-American democracies. Moving from the muckraking of the 19th century to the digital endeavours of the 21st century, leading international experts and practitioners take us into individual scoops, major collaborations and citizen journalism as journalists work to hold power to account and protect the public interest.’
Professor Bridget Griffen-Foley, Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language and Literature, Macquarie University, Australia.
‘Investigative journalism has perhaps never been more vital to the health of democratic society, and its integrity and independence are both precious and threatened. This timely book offers us critical insights and arguments from some of Australia’s leading media scholars, with which we can better understand and champion it.’
Emeritus Professor Steve Mickler, School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry, Curtin University, Australia.
‘This is an important book, not just for journalism researchers, practitioners and educators, but for anyone concerned about the health of the Anglo-American democracies and the mechanisms which are supposed to ensure those in power are accountable to the rest. And isn’t that all of us?’
From the Book Foreword by Professor Ian Richards, Journalism Studies, University of South Australia, Australia.
‘This is an important new Australian book which focuses on how investigative journalism has adapted, and thrived, in the face of significant technological and funding challenges. Dr Coatney has brought together an impressive range of authors who have mapped the history of investigative journalism well away from the glamorised portrayals of Hollywood to the muckrackers of the 1800s to automated decision-making in 2022. The book argues through its series of essays that Australian journalists have developed their practices and processes from detached professionals to change agents and advocates.’
Dr Alexandra Wake, President, Journalism Education and Research Association of Australia, and Programs Manager, Journalism, RMIT University, Australia.
