DEVELOPING AND ENGAGING SOURCES FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING THEOPHILUS

DEVELOPING AND ENGAGING SOURCES FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING THEOPHILUS ABBAH

What is a source? The root, basis, foundation, starting place, birth place, suppliers… of the information. Investigative journalists are not opinion writers, so you have to demonstrate that every fact you write is linked to a source. In the academic arena, you reference or provide evidence of your claims.

Source Types Human Documentary Online Outcome of tests

Human sources Witnesses: they gave a vivid account of what has happened Those who are affected by phenomenon being investigated

Human sources Those in authority: Ministers, CEOs, Spokespersons, government officials: regulatory agencies, police, relevant departments. Current Associates of the subject: other companies officials, shareholders, family members employees, clients, competitors Previous associates: former partners, employees, professional associates.

Human Sources Chains of Inquiry: start with anyone who knows a little about the subject matter that you know, and then you get a link to others who know more Look for experts in the field: A journalist should endeavour to broaden his contact with experts, because you need a lot of them. They are there in universities; professional bodies; retired government officials; self-styled consultants; former ministers in government

Human Sources Look for more than two experts on the subject matter so that you can have broader perspectives. Some experts are dated; look for current experts as well as older ones. Use the ecological model. Your story is more credible if you have multiples human sources whose perspectives align on the subject-matter.

Human Sources Gate-keepers, [secretaries, junior staff, internal auditors, account officers, security staff; ‘Door-openers’: Those who can persuade others to talk to you (elder statesmen; lawmakers; community leaders). Surveyors: Those who can tell you the structure and nature of things

Human sources Networking: meeting those who have done this same story or those in the industry related to the story Law enforcement agencies, EFCC, police, ICPC… they may be prepared to share facts [that promote their activities] with journalists

Documentary Sources It is dangerous to write an investigative story by depending on ‘word of mouth’ alone. Very dangerous! Even if not denied, it could prove that you’re too simplistic: ü minutes of meetings; ü official reports or decisions; ü court proceedings; ü details of registration of companies, etc. ü But note that government officials are more likely to hide the whole truth from you. ü International agencies: They have reports, local and international contacts that can help in doing your story, if your report is about their area of specialization.

Documentary Sources The policy documents Acts of the National Assembly The Annual Budget Reports of investigations by government agencies National Assembly investigative reports Companies’ Annual Reports of the Auditor-General of the Federation

Online Sources Information is not free and democratized. Nothing can be hidden under the sun now. An investigative journalist can use the internet to his own advantage [no longer as distraction] Websites Blogs: Some experts blog Twitter: who do you follow? Google Advance Search: You have to learn Google Alerts Whatsapp Groups Discussion forums

Forensic Laboratory Tests Forensic examinations Digital Forensic Etc.