Journalistic Standards and Practices

IV. PRODUCTION STANDARDS

A: INFORMATION GATHERING

11. INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM

Investigative journalism must be practiced within the discipline imposed by journalistic principles and the policies which flow from them.

While all journalism is, in a wide sense, investigative, the term can be particularly applied to the vigorous, intense examination of institutions or activities which concern public policy or touch upon the lives of a large part of the population. Investigative journalism should bear in mind the relative importance of an issue and should not be exclusively concerned with the revelation of errors, injustice or wrongdoing. Minor matters should not be treated when more significant topics warrant attention.

This is a particularly sensitive type of journalism, which can have a powerful effect upon the public mind and, consequently, upon the livelihood and well-being of individuals and the viability of public institutions and private enterprises. It therefore calls for heightened skills and the maintenance of strict standards of accuracy. Investigative journalism should not be conducted without adequate resources and the time needed for exhaustive research.

Programs may lead the audience to conclusions on the subject being examined. These must be logical conclusions derived from the facts and not from expressions of editorial opinion or unfair methods of presentation. It is essential, therefore, that to conform with the principles of accuracy, integrity, fairness and comprehensiveness, the programs must be based on the most scrupulous and painstaking research. They should take into account all the relevant evidence available and should include recognition of the range of opinion on the matter in question.

In investigative programming, in the interest of fairness, opportunity should be given for all parties directly concerned to state their case. In circumstances where research reveals the necessity to conduct interviews in which individuals are to be held accountable for their actions or those of their organizations in a matter of public interest, while the purpose of the interview should be disclosed in broad terms in advance, information can be divulged and questions can be asked in ways that ensure candid and unrehearsed answers are obtained for the public.

In cases where an anonymous interview is believed to be warranted, the prior approval of the senior officer in information programming is required, and he or she should be provided with the name, address and bona fides of the interviewee. Disclosure of sources within the journalistic line of responsibility should not be confused with public disclosure of sources. The senior officer needs that information to make an informed decision on the broadcasting of the report.

To avoid the possibility of being manipulated to advance inaccurate or biased information, the journalist must carefully check the reliability of a source and must obtain corroborative evidence from other pertinent sources.

Investigative reports sometimes involve special journalistic procedures. The policy on clandestine methods states the general rule that journalism should be conducted in the open. There may be occasions when the use of devices such as hidden cameras or microphones does not infringe the law and when such use could be regarded as being in the public interest. In such cases, once the Law Department has determined that the recording would be legal, prior authorization must be obtained from the senior officer in information programming. Authorization may be given only if the information gained serves an important purpose, is indispensable to that purpose and cannot be obtained by more open means. Moreover, it must concern illegal, anti-social or fraudulent activities or clear and significant abuses of public trust.

The policies on editing, editorial use of technology and rights of program participants relate to the principle of fairness, which should always be an objective of program presentation.

Investigative journalism, because of its nature, will frequently involve legal considerations and on such occasions the advice of the Law Department should be sought.

Investigative programs of special sensitivity should be referred to media management.

Reference:

IV.A.1. Research
IV.A.3. Privacy
IV.A.4. Protection of Sources
IV.A.5.Rights of Participants and Interviewees
IV.A.10. Clandestine Methods
IV.B.2. Editing