Wiston Papers

The State of Investigative Reporting.

Leonard Downie Jr., former Washington Post Editor and now journalism professor at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, believes that investigative reporting is in jeopardy.

He is wrong. His concern about the future of investigative reporting is misplaced;  his voice of doom is unfounded.

A quick and easy examination of efforts by today’s media would put his mind to ease.

1—The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) annually awards the Edward R. Murrow Award to broadcast stations and online media for their vigorous, accurate, and courageous investigative and in-depth reporting. Specific long-form categories for both Radio and Television include Continuing Coverage, Investigative Reporting, News Documentary, and News Series

This year RTDNA recognized outstanding work in all 50 states and abroad.  Excellence throughout.

2—The Society of Professional Journalists (SDX) this year received more than 1,700 entries from print, broadcast and online journalists. The eventual SDX’s winners represented excellence in Investigative Reporting, Non-Deadline Reporting, and Public Service Journalism. Each of these comprised winners in three daily circulation categories.  

A broad range of superior journalism from small to large markets.

3--The A.I. Dupont-Columbia Awards for 2012 went to 15 different local and national broadcast and independent media for superior coverage of important issues.  

Every one is a superior example of vigorous reporting.

4--The 2012 Pulitzer Prize winners from local and national media excelled in 14 categories ranging from Public Service to Investigative Reporting to Explanatory Reporting.

An impressive representation of the best professional practice in the public interest.

It’s true that the effort to produce outstanding investigative reporting and to protect its practitioners requires constant vigilance.  Despite Mr. Downie’s fears, however, the state of the craft remains alive and well—perhaps even more so today than during the era he remembers so fondly.

Steve Coon

June 08, 2012