Investigative Journalism

Investigative journalism appeared with the beginning of the development of the concept and role of journalism in society and its tendency to focus and investigate specific issues occurring in society, especially aspects of deviance and corruption. This is why a new type of press coverage emerged called investigative journalism, and editors of this type were called: Muck Rekers, or corruption diggers. . This name was given to a group of journalists who led important journalistic campaigns against corruption. These journalists relied in their journalistic movement on publishing revealing journalistic investigations based on official documents and subject to expert monitoring.
Investigative journalism involves revealing hidden matters to the public - matters that have either been deliberately concealed by someone in power, or have accidentally disappeared behind a messy pile of facts and circumstances that have become difficult to understand. It requires the use of confidential and public sources of information and documents.
Traditional news coverage aims to create an objective picture of the world as it is... As for investigative coverage, it uses, in an objective manner, real materials and information that turn into facts that any rational observer agrees to be true. An investigative journalist is motivated by a subjective, subjective goal: a desire to fix the world. It is our responsibility to know the truth so that we can change the world. Contrary to what some professionals like to say, investigative journalism is not just good, well-executed traditional journalism. It is true that these two forms of journalism focus on four elements: who, what, where and when, but the fifth element of traditional coverage, “why”, turns into the “how” element of investigation. Other elements are developed not only quantitatively, but also qualitatively. “Who” is not just a name and a title, but a personality with a distinctive character and style. “When” is not just the moment the news occurred, but rather a historical context for the narrative. “What” is not just an event, but a phenomenon with causes and consequences. “Where” is not just an address, but a location or place where certain events or things become more or less possible. These elements and details give investigative journalism, at its best, an artistic edge that enhances its emotional impact on the recipient.
In short, although media professionals may do both types of traditional daily reporting and investigative work in the course of their careers, the two types sometimes involve very different skills, work habits, processes, and goals. Mark Hunter, professor of investigative journalism at the University of Paris, says: “In daily work, as journalists, we reflect the reality of society, and in investigative work we aim to change the reality of society.