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

Jun 9, 2023 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

Air pollution has become an increasingly serious global issue. This has led to a number of negative effects, including a decrease in air quality, an increase in health problems in vulnerable populations, and an overall threat to the environment. Research has shown that the primary cause of air pollution is the burning of fossil fuels for transportation, power generation, and industry.

This burning of fossil fuels releases harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, which can have devastating consequences for both human health and the environment. Other causes of air pollution include burning of agricultural waste, open burning of garbage, and use of aerosol products. To address this growing problem, governments have implemented a variety of measures such as stricter emission standards for vehicles and industries, cleaner energy sources, and public awareness campaigns.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelors Degree. The first step to becoming an investigative reporter is to earn a bachelors degree in journalism, communications or a related field. During your studies, you should focus on courses that teach the fundamentals of research and writing, as well as those that cover investigative techniques and laws.
Get Professional Experience. While youre still in school, its important to start building your professional experience. Consider working at a college or university paper, or interning at a local newspaper or television station. You can also work as a research assistant for an investigative journalist.
Network With Professionals. Once you have some professional experience under your belt, its time to start networking with other professionals in the field. Attend conferences and industry events, and use social media to connect with other journalists and media professionals.
Find an Investigative Reporting Job. Once youve built your network and gained some professional experience, its time to start looking for a job as an investigative reporter. Look for job openings at newspapers, magazines, websites or television stations.
Stay Current. As an investigative reporter, its important to stay current on news in your area of expertise. Read publications in your field and familiarize yourself with the latest laws and regulations that may impact your investigations.

In today's competitive world, staying ahead and being competent is essential. To do this, one must have a good understanding of the industry and its trends, be able to research and analyze information, and have the ability to communicate effectively. Knowing the latest technology and staying up-to-date with market intelligence can also help you stay ahead of the competition.

developing interpersonal skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and networking are important to maintain a competitive edge. Lastly, continuous learning and professional development is key to staying competent in an ever-changing environment. By taking these steps, one can ensure they stay ahead and remain competent in their chosen field.

You may want to check Investigative Producer, Health Reporter, and Social Media Journalist for alternative.

Job Description

Conduct research and investigations on news stories to uncover facts and uncover new angles or stories.
Interview sources to obtain information and comment.
Develop and write stories, reports, and feature articles based on research and investigative findings.
Analyze records, documents, and other evidence to identify relevant facts.
Collaborate with editors, producers, and other media professionals in developing news stories.
Develop sources with expertise in specialized areas of inquiry.
Monitor police scanners and other sources of information to discover breaking news stories.
Communicate with the public and other news organizations to verify facts and obtain additional information.
Appear on camera to present stories and provide commentary on breaking news stories.
Explain complex issues in an understandable manner for broadcast and print audiences.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Thorough knowledge of investigative journalism techniques
Excellent research and analytical skills
Ability to identify key facts and relevant information
Ability to develop and pursue investigative leads
Knowledge of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
Excellent interviewing, writing, and communication skills
Knowledge of computer-assisted reporting tools
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Understanding of journalistic ethics and standards
Ability to think critically and quickly
Willingness to take risks and pursue difficult stories
Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines

Investigative reporting requires a unique set of skills in order to uncover the truth and reveal hidden stories. Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities are essential in order to identify patterns and trends, as well as to ask the right questions. Investigative reporters must also have the ability to research and analyze data, as well as use their knowledge of legal systems, public records, and technology to uncover information.

they must be skilled communicators and understand how to write compelling stories. Finally, due to the sensitive nature of some stories, investigative reporters must be able to maintain confidentiality and protect sources. The combination of these skills helps investigative reporters to uncover the truth and provide the public with important information that they otherwise would not know.

Crime Reporter, Travel Writer, and Court Reporter are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in investigative reporting?
Describe a difficult situation you encountered during an investigation and how you overcame it.
How do you handle tight deadlines?
What methods do you use to verify facts and uncover new information?
How do you protect confidential sources?
What techniques do you use to research a story?
How do you stay motivated while pursuing a long-term investigation?
What processes do you use to write and edit investigative stories?
What strategies do you have for developing relationships with sources?
How have you used technology to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of your investigative reporting?

Common Tools in Industry

Database analysis software. Software used to analyze large datasets to uncover trends and uncover stories. (eg: Tableau)
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. A legal process that requires organizations to provide requested documents upon request. (eg: MuckRock)
Document management software. Software used to store, organize, and access digital documents and media. (eg: Adobe Document Cloud)
Investigative research software. Software designed to help journalists systematically search for leads and uncover stories. (eg: iTrace)
Online search tools. Tools used to search for information online and conduct deeper research. (eg: Google Scholar)
Interviewing tools. Software used to help reporters prepare for interviews and analyze the responses they receive. (eg: InterviewStream)
Social media monitoring tools. Tools used to track conversations taking place on social media platforms and analyze public opinion. (eg: Hootsuite Insights)
GIS software. Software used to visualize, analyze, and map data geographically. (eg: ArcGIS)

Professional Organizations to Know

Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE)
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)
Online News Association (ONA)
National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA)
National Press Photographers Association (NPPA)
Radio and Television Digital News Association (RTDNA)
Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA)
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ)
Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN)

We also have Correspondent, News Reporter, and Photojournalist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

FOIA Request (Freedom of Information Act Request). A request made to a government agency for access to records that are considered public information. Investigative reporters often use FOIA requests to uncover previously unknown information.
Investigative Journalism. A type of journalism that focuses on uncovering and in-depth reporting on information that has not been previously reported or made public.
Sources. Individuals or organizations that provide information or materials to journalists. Investigative reporters often rely on sources to provide confidential information that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to obtain.
Whistleblower. An individual who exposes information related to illegal or unethical practices within an organization. Investigative reporters may use information from whistleblowers to uncover important stories.
Subpoena. A legal document that requires an individual or organization to provide documents or testimony related to a court case. Investigative reporters may use subpoenas to access documents or other materials needed for their stories.
Libel. False and defamatory written or spoken statement about another person or organization. Investigative reporters must take care to ensure that the information they report is accurate and not libelous.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Investigative Reporter?

An investigative reporter is a journalist who researches and reports on stories that involve examining facts, uncovering potential wrongdoing and uncovering new information.

What skills are needed to be an Investigative Reporter?

Investigative reporters need to possess a variety of skills, such as research, interviewing, writing, computer literacy, analytical thinking and problem solving.

What kind of stories do Investigative Reporters cover?

Investigative reporters often cover stories related to politics, crime, public health and safety, corporate malfeasance, financial fraud or other topics of public interest.

How long have Investigative Reporters been around?

Investigative reporting has been around since the late 19th century, when reporters exposed corruption in the American political system.

What impact can Investigative Reporters have?

Investigative reporters can have a major impact by uncovering wrongdoing that would otherwise go unnoticed. Their reporting often leads to changes in policy or legislation, as well as greater public awareness of issues.

Web Resources

What Do Investigative Reporters Do: Daily Work & Skills - Franklin www.franklin.edu
Investigative Reporting Program - UC Berkeley journalism.berkeley.edu
Investigative Reporting - Newmark J-School - journalism.cuny.edu www.journalism.cuny.edu