- Adversarial in nature. The report must make a stand not to conform to what is obvious or what is shared by institutions to the public. The approach in probing or challenging the suspected anomaly must be done in a professional and credible way.
- Moralistic in tone. The report should present a MORAL stand solution to replace the anomaly being investigated.
- In the public sector, the report is mostly on misuse of funds, mismanagement or abuse of power.
- Checking and rechecking of sources and documents - a MUST to get the credibility of the report.
- Involves investment of time, money and human resources.
- Takes courage, persistence, conviction and enterprise on the part of the reporter and the paper.
Source: Journalism for Filipinos, Alito Malinao p. 141
