Investigative reporting on the decline?

A deep look at investigative journalism in the 21st century. Channel 13 Reporter Wayne Dolcefino and LA Times Senior Editor Bill Rempel weigh in.

By Christina Herrera


Scandals, secrets and lies have no place in America. At least that is what investigative journalists believe.

For over 200 years investigative journalists have cut down people and companies that abuse of their power.  Without these reporters the U.S. would be one corrupted nation.

Some journalists believe investigative reporting is disappearing.  While others argue there is more being done today than ever before.  Television and newspapers both put out investigative stories but newspaper dominate investigative reporting coverage.

Since the beginning of America government officials have used tax money for personal spending, and today home contractors fail to complete their jobs while caretakers are abusing senior citizens in retirement homes.  These stories and many others are what Americans face when people with power take advantage.

Investigative Reporter, Wayne Dolcefino of Channel 13 Eyewitness News in Houston is currently investigating Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole who is facing criminal investigation.  “He’s spent nearly three quarters of a million dollars in campaign funds in just 18 months including thousands of dollars at golf shops.” 

Dolcefino said, “We would be robbed blind if the government was left without investigative reporters to question the way public money was spent.”  Investigative journalism continues to uncover stories that would otherwise be overlooked.

Dolcefino believes that the decline of investigative journalism is because of “Money, Judges and the Internet.”  

Money makes the world go round and investigative reporting can cost millions of dollars.  That is why investigative journalism can only be handled by big city news stations and newspapers.  Small newspapers and news stations can’t afford such reporting so there is an absence of investigative reporting. 

Dolcefino said, “Newspapers are going broke and the deductible for libel insurance is now up to 2 million dollars a story in some news operations.”

Another argument people are making is that newspapers will soon become extinct.  With more people turning to the internet for their daily news it’s a possibility, but newspapers make their money from advertising and not from the number of papers they sale.  Bill Rempel, senior editor of investigations for the L.A. Times says, “The news business isn’t going away it’s only shifting.”

 Rempel is a firm believer that investigative reporting is here to stay.  “I don’t see this decline.”  “Newspapers are where the best investigative work is done.” 
Investigative reporting isn’t easy.  It takes dedication and patience.  “Unfortunately, many reporters are on daily deadlines.  The average reporter only has a few hours to work a story and we are often dependent on government spokesman for information that we don’t have time to question even if we wanted to,” said Dolcefino.    

Reporters at daily papers must get their information and write what they can with what they have.  This is why they are news reporters; investigative reporters are on a whole different level.

Good investigative reporting can take years to complete.  Rempel said, “Television is not the place for investigative reporting, it’s hugely time consuming and hugely expensive.”   It is rare to see investigative stories on TV.   “It means a local TV station has to be willing to invest millions in a story just to prove it is true in the event of a lawsuit,” said Dolcefino.

Investigative reporting is risky and journalists continue losing their lives trying to uncover the truth.  But living in the United States gives us freedoms that journalists in other countries only dream of.  

“This is one lucky country we’re in,” said Rempel. 

Rempel said, “Investigative reporting tends to be the most controversial, taking on the most powerful.”  Thankfully, journalists in America do not have to fear for their lives.  Rempel says his biggest threat is to his political stance and his credibility. 

He said he was always more afraid of being wrong than being hurt.

“You can’t be wrong.”  “It can ruin your credibility which is the biggest asset you have as a journalist.”

Journalists are expected to be accurate.  They must base their stories on facts and only facts.  Some journalists have lost their career and on an extreme level have lost their reputation due to false stories.

Dolcefino said that the biggest downfall to investigative reporting is making new enemies.  “The hate e-mails after those stories are quite entertaining.”
“We get threats a lot….but I always say it is not the people who call you and threaten that will kill you….it is the one’s who don’t.”  “Remember that if anyone whacks me.”

Investigative reporters are a special group of people who work hard at what they do.  Rempel said, “It requires asking questions and digging beyond opinions.”   “They don’t take no for an answer, and being an editor I can tell you that makes them hard to manage.”

Dolcefino says guys like him don’t take anyone’s word for just about anything.  “I want documents and I think too many public relations people in government agencies have forgotten they are paid by the public to provide information, not spin our journalism.”

Journalists are supposed to report both sides of stories.  But it is apparent that some news organizations are either right wing or left wing. 

Rempel said, “Powerful government, organizations and people try to spin what we put out.”  “But the press is not allowing the government to lie, cheat or hide.”
From the Tweed Ring to the Watergate scandal investigative journalists have been making American history.  They protect everyday citizens from people with too much power. 
Rempel said, “Investigative reporters tend to be odd people but they are great assets to this country.” 

Thanks to free press, journalists can continue doing their jobs without fearing imprisonment or death.  They fight for the powerless, those whose voice can’t and won’t be heard. 
“They should be received as great patriots,” said Rempel.

Although some may think investigative reporting is on a decline it is in fact alive and fighting.  There is not a lot of TV investigative reporting but there are some shows like 60 minutes who are dedicated to it. 

Big city newspapers like the “New York Times and the Washington Post have incredible investigating reporting,” said Rempel. 

These reporters will continue to fight for the public as long as the press is alive.  It’s been around for over 200 years so it won’t be going anywhere any time soon.

Links

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