3 Elements of Investigative Reporting

Investigative Reporting is a product of conventional and unconventional, yet constitutional, research, monitoring and probing of journalist/s to bring out the truth in a controversial issue, usually concerning misuse of public funds, abuse of power and/or public trust. Investigative reporting has three common elements:

1. The subject is hidden from the public. Issues being moved away from public attention like graft and corruption, abuse and other government controversial transactions.
2. The story is interesting to the journalists and the readers. This is an element that journalists shouldn't be forgetting, that while it may interest them, bottom line is, the topic must be of interest to the public.
3. Investigation is done personally by the journalist. An investigation, personally done by the journalist will give more IMPACT on the writing by first hand information to be shared to the public.

Based on the book "Journalism for Filipinos" by Alito Malinao (p. 140)