How to Be Investigative News Reporter - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Oct 10, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The rise of investigative news reporting has had a profound effect on the public's understanding of important issues. By uncovering facts that may have been kept hidden, investigative reporters have brought to light government corruption, corporate wrongdoing, and even human rights violations. Additionally, their work has given the public an invaluable opportunity to hold those in power accountable and demand real change. In response, organizations such as Freedom of the Press Foundation, Reporters Without Borders, and the Committee to Protect Journalists have been created to protect the rights of journalists and support their efforts to keep the public informed.

Steps How to Become

Take a college degree in journalism, English or mass communication. Many employers prefer a bachelors degree for investigative reporters.
Seek out internships and entry-level jobs at a newspaper, magazine, or online news source.
Develop your writing skills and become familiar with newsroom processes.
Demonstrate an interest in investigative reporting, which can include researching stories, interviewing sources and writing articles.
Get to know the nuances of investigative reporting, such as public records requests and other research techniques.
Join a professional organization, such as Investigative Reporters and Editors or the Society of Professional Journalists.
Develop contacts with government officials, law enforcement agencies and other potential sources.
Take additional courses or workshops on investigative reporting and participate in seminars and conferences.
Work to develop a portfolio of published stories that demonstrate your investigative reporting skills.
Keep apprised of current events and be prepared to break news stories quickly.

Keeping up to date and competent as an investigative news reporter requires dedication and hard work. It is essential to stay informed about current events and newsworthy topics, as well as developing a network of reliable sources. it is important to stay abreast of changes in the news industry and trends in the workforce that could affect the job market.

Finally, continually honing skills such as researching, interviewing, writing, and editing will help investigative news reporters stay competitive and prepared to cover complex stories. By staying informed, networking, and sharpening skills, investigative news reporters can remain competent and up-to-date in their profession.

You may want to check Multi-Media News Reporter, News Broadcast Technician, and Radio News Anchor for alternative.

Job Description

Research and analyze news topics and trends.
Develop story ideas, conduct interviews, and write stories.
Gather evidence and conduct investigations.
Review legal documents and public records.
Monitor news outlets, websites, and social media for breaking news.
Work with editors and other staff members to develop stories.
Develop sources and maintain contacts with people in the news industry.
Attend press conferences, court hearings, and other public events related to news stories.
Collaborate with other news organizations to share information and resources.
Develop in-depth reports and special investigations.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Strong research, writing and interviewing skills
Knowledge of investigative journalism techniques
Ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines
Familiarity with federal, state and local laws and regulations
Proficiency in computer-based research tools
Aptitude to identify and utilize sources in the community
Solid communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to assess, analyze and present complex information
Flexibility to work outside of standard office hours
Ability to work well under pressure

Being an investigative news reporter requires an array of skills, but the most important one is the ability to be a thorough researcher. Investigative news reporters must be able to delve into complex stories, uncover hidden information and dig up facts to create compelling, informative stories. They must be able to find reliable sources, assess the accuracy of the information and determine if it is relevant to the story.

they must be able to verify and cross-check facts from multiple sources, which requires in-depth knowledge of the subjects they are investigating. This can include researching documents, conducting interviews, and gathering data from multiple sources. Finally, investigative news reporters must be able to write compelling stories that capture the essence of their findings.

All of these skills come together to form a well-rounded investigative news reporter who can effectively inform their audience.

International News Reporter, Sports News Reporter, and Radio News Producer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What inspired you to become an investigative news reporter?
How do you go about researching and investigating stories?
Describe a time you uncovered a story that was not previously reported by other journalists?
How do you develop sources for your stories?
How do you handle difficult or threatening situations when working on an investigative piece?
What challenges have you encountered while reporting on sensitive topics?
Describe a time when you had to defend your reporting against criticism.
What methods do you use to verify the accuracy of your facts and sources?
How do you handle ethical dilemmas while reporting on a story?
What has been the most rewarding investigative story you have ever worked on?

Common Tools in Industry

Database Software. Software that allows reporters to store, organize, and search through large amounts of data. (Eg: Microsoft Access)
News Aggregator Software. Allows reporters to find relevant stories from multiple sources and compile them in a single place. (Eg: Feedly)
Cloud Computing Platforms. Helps reporters store and access large amounts of data in the cloud. (Eg: Amazon Web Services)
Social Media Management Software. Allows reporters to track and analyze social media conversations for newsworthy items. (Eg: Hootsuite)
Video Editing Software. Allows reporters to edit and produce videos for their stories. (Eg: Adobe Premiere Pro)
Online Research Tools. Allows reporters to quickly and effectively research topics for their stories. (Eg: Google Scholar)
Voice Recording Software. Allows reporters to easily record audio interviews or take notes during meetings and conversations. (Eg: Audacity)

Professional Organizations to Know

Society of Professional Journalists
Investigative Reporters & Editors
Online News Association
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists
National Association of Hispanic Journalists
Asian American Journalists Association
National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association
National Association of Black Journalists
Radio Television Digital News Association
Native American Journalists Association

We also have Field News Reporter, News Assignment Editor, and News Assignment Desk Coordinator jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). A federal law that grants the public the right to request access to government documents and records.
Open Records Request. A formal request made to a government agency seeking access to public records or documents.
Public Records. Any type of document, regardless of format, that is created in the course of business by a government agency.
Source Protection. The practice of protecting confidential sources and information provided by them.
Whistleblowing. The act of reporting misconduct or illegal activities within an organization.
Investigative Journalism. A type of journalism that involves researching and analyzing facts to uncover hidden stories and uncover the truth.
Public Interest Litigation. Legal action taken in the interest of protecting the public welfare against government or corporate wrongdoing.
Data Journalism. The use of data analysis and visualization techniques to uncover stories, identify trends, and draw insights from data.
Ethical Journalism. A code of practices that guides journalists in reporting on topics fairly and accurately without bias or distortion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Investigative News Reporting?

Investigative News Reporting is a form of journalism focused on uncovering facts and information about a particular issue or subject, often by conducting interviews, researching records and documents, and performing investigative research.

What skills are needed for Investigative News Reporting?

Investigative News Reporting requires strong research and writing skills, as well as knowledge of the legal system, investigative techniques, and the ability to work independently.

What is the role of an Investigative News Reporter?

An Investigative News Reporter is responsible for uncovering facts and information, conducting interviews, researching records and documents, and performing investigative research to uncover the truth behind important stories.

What qualifications are necessary to become an Investigative News Reporter?

To become an Investigative News Reporter, typically a bachelor's degree in journalism or a related field is required. Additionally, experience in investigative journalism, as well as knowledge of the legal system and investigative techniques, are important qualifications for this role.

How much does an Investigative News Reporter earn?

The salary of an Investigative News Reporter can vary depending on the employer and location. According to PayScale, the average annual salary for an Investigative News Reporter in the United States is $59,167.

Web Resources

What Do Investigative Reporters Do: Daily Work & Skills - Franklin www.franklin.edu
Investigative Journalism - Everything You Need To Know - NFI www.nfi.edu
Investigative Reporting Program - UC Berkeley journalism.berkeley.edu