Investigative Journalism Opportunities and challenges facing media students

Investigative Journalism Opportunities and challenges facing media students & bloggers Isaiah K Cherutich USIU – A, 1 st December 2017

I. J Definition & functions… • “Investigative journalism involves exposing to the public matters that are concealed–either deliberately by someone in a position of power, or accidentally, behind a chaotic mass of facts and circumstances that obscure understanding. It requires using both secret and open sources & documents. ” Hunter, M. L (2011; 8), Story-Based Inquiry: A Manual for Investigative Journalists. Gratuit - UNESCO

Definition & functions… • Investigative journalism seeks to expose unethical, immoral and illegal behaviour by government officials, politicians as well as private citizens. Kovach and Rosenstiel, (2007; 145 -9).

Definition & functions… Investigative journalism has the potential to make a worthwhile contribution to society by “drawing attention to failures within society’s systems of regulation and to the ways in which those systems can be circumvented by the rich, the powerful and the corrupt’’ de Burgh (2008; 3).

Renown Kenyan investigative Journalists…. • Mohammed Ali ‘Jicho pevu’ & John Allan Namu. • Robert Onsarigo, Denis Okari, John Kamau • Alex Chamwada, John Ngirachu etc Most investigative journalists, work for and on behalf of the public interest, for the public good – what prompts a journalist to go the extra mile, risk own life to tell these very secretive information?

Perceptions? • How do media practitioners understand/view investigative journalism? • Why do (some) media people fear Investigative Journalism? • Examples of Julian Assange & Edward Snowden (Wikileaks)

Common perceptions about I. J Elicits fear. - Too hot to handle. - Confrontational approach to journalism. - One needs to know the rules of the ‘game’ to navigate the twists and turns. - Going for the ‘story’ behind an ordinary story. - Too demanding, a cliff-hanger -

Ethics of Investigative Journalism…… Investigative reporting may be defined as stories that: • Contain original work, not leaked investigations from law authorities. • Show a pattern of systemic problems, not just one isolated incident affecting one individual. • An attempt to ‘right a wrong’; • Explain complex social problems. • Reveal corruption, wrongdoing or abuse of power. Lucinda S. Fleeson (2008) , Ten Steps to Investigative Reporting in conjunction with the International Center for Journalists

Qualities of a successful investigative reporter…. . • A good flair for news - ‘nose for news’ • The ability to detect stories that will become big topics and do follow ups. • An investigative reporter needs to be a dedicated, hard-worker. • Discuss a big subject extensively in order to be able to produce professional quality content.

Media Law & Ethics as regards Investigative Journalism: • Investigative journalists need a lot of legal training. • Learn how to apply the hypothesis-based inquiry methodology, and • Ensure that their story is viable, factevidenced, well-resourced & researched. • Should enable journalists to challenge assumptions and draw conclusions from various arguments. • Amman base Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ), Executive Director Rana Sabbagh, a Jordanian journalist, columnist & media trainer.

Opportunities & challenges in Investigative Journalism. • Robust telecommunications industry, ICT network, freedom of expression & a conducive environment for information dissemination. • An ‘information-hungry’, literate & inquisitive audience. • Digitization fully embraced. • An expanded e-business environment & paper less society. • Affordable internet connection. • Media Convergence. • Affordable ICT gadgets and related accessories.

Challenges of I. J in Kenya…. • I. J in Kenya is hampered by the fear of defamation & criminal libel. • The fear of victimization. • Corruption • Inadequate personnel • Caveat on national security issues • Inadequate financial resources & • Waning editorial commitment Ongowo, Jim. O (2001), Ethics of Investigative Journalism A study of a tabloid and a quality Newspaper in Kenya. Quotes Mbeke (2010; 43)

Benefits of I. J • • • Transparency & accountability The fight against Corruption enhanced Journalists get recognized, rewarded Good governance Enhanced democratic space Serves the public interest etc

Ethics of Investigative Journalism Houston, (2009; 108) says investigative reporting is not for the faint hearted – Investigative Journalism “not only demands the highest standards of accuracy, but also delivers more ethical dilemmas on a daily basis than almost any other form of journalism” Ongowo, Jim. O (2001), Ethics of Investigative Journalism A study of a tabloid and a quality Newspaper in Kenya quotes Houston, (2009; 108)

I. J redefined…… Horrie (2008; 114) says investigative journalism “is a generic form in which the journalists or a newspaper initiates the story, based on a suspicion of wrong-doing, rather than simply reporting in a more passive and disinterested way the routine news of the day, or unscheduled disasters and accidents’’

I. J redefined…… Investigative reporting involves not simply casting light on a subject but also usually “making a more prosecutorial case that something is wrong’’. Kovach and Rosenstiel (2007, p. 153) ………………… “If investigative journalism always had to be perfect, very little would get investigated. We’re shining a feeble torch into a large, dark cupboard. We’re dealing with tricky people’’ Gilligan (2011).

Journalism & blogging • Like journalists and publishers, bloggers sometimes publish information that other people don't want published. • Are bloggers journalists?

Who is a blogger? A blogger is – (a). A person who regularly writes material for a blog. (Oxford Living Dictionaries) (b) A person who keeps a Web log (blog) or publish an online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page; also called Weblog. (www. dictionary. com)

MCK - Journalist • “Journalist" means any person who holds a diploma or a degree in mass communication from a recognized institution of higher learning and is recognized as such by the Media Council of Kenya, or any other person who was practising as a journalist immediately before the commencement of this Act, or who holds such other qualifications as are recognized by the Council, and earns a living from the practice of journalism, or any person who habitually engages in the practice of journalism and is recognized as such by the Council, - Media Act, 2007.

Blogging. . • Why do people blog? - For fun? a hobby? a source of income? Possibly an attempt to develop a portfolio so that when they feel they are ready they are still welcome. • What is the public perception of Bloggers? Influencers? Intruders? Busybodies? Alternative sources of information? Citizen journalists?

Spheres of influence…. . Bloggers specialize in all kinds of information: • Agriculture, Technology, • Politics, Fashion, • Entertainment, Business, • Tourism, Gossip, Photography etc

Bloggers Association of Kenya(BAKE)… • Robert Alai, Timothy Obare, Daniel Ominde, Cyprian Nyakundi • Sylvia Njoki, Jackson Biko, Nancie Mwai • Mutua Matheka, Samuel Majani, Jane Mukami • Josphat Gachie, Juliana Rotich, Sharon Mundia, Philiph Mwaniki etc

Challenges in blogging & Investigative Journalism…. . • The biggest challenge for bloggers - getting or attracting an audience. • Journalists are asked to be skeptical & and always look behind a story and do the necessary research. • Confidentiality - protect the identity of the people involved in a story. • Investigative journalism often puts news workers in conflict with the power elite, the rich & the corrupt who seek to conceal information. • Credibility issues

Challenges of blogging…. . • More and more stories coming up every day about bloggers getting into trouble for what they post. • Example: A US based Kenyan lawyer Ms Regina Njogu has sued a Kenyan blogger for defamation and failure to pull down an offending article around march 28 th 2016 that made false, unsubstantiated and defamatory statements about her. (Ms Njogu seeks damages for and actual malice and reckless disregard for the truth, totalling Ksks 10. 2 million)

What is defamation? • Generally, defamation is a false & unprivileged statement of fact that is harmful to someone's reputation, and published "with fault, " meaning as a result of negligence or malice. • Libel is a written defamation; • slander is a spoken defamation.

Article No. 2 of CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THE PRACTICE OF JOURNALISM – Media Council 2013 Accuracy and fairness: (1). A person subject to this Act shall write a fair, accurate and an unbiased story on matters of Public interest. (2). All sides of the story shall be reported, wherever possible. (3). Comments shall be sought from anyone who is mentioned in an unfavourable context and evidence of such attempts to seek the comments shall be kept.

Article No. 3 of the Media Act 2013 Independence (1). Journalists shall defend the independence of all journalists from those seeking influence or control over news content. (2). A person under this act shall: (a). Gather and report news without fear or favour, and resist undue influence from any outside forces, including advertisers, sources, story subjects, powerful individuals and special interest groups. (b). Resist those who would buy or politically influence news content or who would seek to intimidate those who gather and disseminate news.

Article No. 3 of the Media Act 2013 (c). Determine news content solely through editorial judgement and not the result of outside influence. (d). Resist any self-interest or peer pressure that might undermine journalistic duty and service to the public. (e). Recognize that sponsorship of the news shall not be used in any way to determine, restrict or manipulate content (f). Refuse to allow the interests of ownership or management to influence news’ judgment and content inappropriately.

Article 7 – Media Council Act 2013 Unnamed Sources: (1). Unnamed sources shall not be used unless the pursuit of the truth will best be served by not disclosing the source who shall be known by the editor and reporter. (2). When material is used in a report from sources other than the reporter’s, these sources shall be indicated in the story. Confidentiality: A person subject to this Act have a professional obligation to protect confidential sources of information

Copyright Act (U. S) • The Copyright Act says that "fair use. . . for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement on copyright. " - If you are commenting on or criticizing an item someone else has posted, you have a fair use right to quote.

Q&A

Thank You

Sources • • de BURGH, H. (2008; 32 -53). ‘The Emergence of Investigative Journalism’. In: de BURGH, H. Investigative Journalism. London: Routledge. GILLIGAN, A. 2011. ‘Phone hacking: My big fear is this scandal could damage investigative journalism’. 10 July 2011. [online]. [Accessed 10 July 2011]. Available from the World Wide http: //www. telegraph. co. uk/news/uknews/phone - hacking/8628148/Phone hacking - My - big-fear – is – this – scandal – could – damage – investigative journalism. html. HOUSTON, B. (2009). The Investigative Reporter’s Handbook: A Guide to Documents, Databases and Techniques. 5 th edition. St Martins: Bedford Books. KOVACH, B and T, ROSENSTIEL. (2007). The Elements of Journalism: What Newspeople Should Know and the Public Should Expect. New York: Three Rivers Press. Lucinda S. Fleeson (2008) , Ten Steps to Investigative Reporting in conjunction with the International Center for Journalists (ICJ). MBEKE, O. P. (2010). Mass Media in Kenya: Systems and Practice. Nairobi: Jomo Kenyatta Foundation. Ongowo, J (2011), Investigative Journalism: Ethics of Investigative Journalism. Master of Arts Thesis, International Journalism. University of Leeds. pdf