Problems And Prospect Of Online Investigative Journalism In Mass Media

Investigative journalism was described in many ways throughout the afternoon: as "uncovering the hidden"; "expensive"; "difficult"; "requiring dedication"; "has impact"; "holding power to account". These terms are important: I"ve blogged elsewhere about journalism"s professional ideology and how it compares to bloggers", and investigative journalism has its own professional ideology within that. If we are going to ask "But is it investigative journalism?" then these will be particularly relevant. For example, there was a focus on investigative journalism as process that particularly fascinated me: Donal Macintyre talked about the "undercover reporter" as a "narrative device" to allow them to create a narrative around important but difficult-to-dramatize issues, rather than something inherent in investigative work itself. In other words, for his purposes the process of "going undercover" had a storytelling function as much as if not more than an investigative one. On the other hand, some members of the audience dismissed modern examples of investigative work because it did not fit into this mythology.

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

The media are the bridge between the government and the governed as well as the mouthpiece of the society A basic duty of the media professionals in every society is to be a civic watchdog whose mission is to uncover secrets / issues and keep the government accountable to society. As observed by Itule& Anderson (2007:397), to achieve this often demands investigation and in-depth work which requires researching, digging deeply, interviewing and writing. As the name implies, "investigative journalists are those that unearth significant information about matters of public importance through the use of non-routine information gathering methods" (Agba, P. C: 2000). Agba said that most day to investigation requires day reporting involves investigation, but that the true an extra-ordinary expenditure of time and resources. Similarly, Robert Greene, the former assistant managing editor of the U.S-based NEWSDAY asserts that investigative reporting is the reporting (primarily) through one"s own work, product and initiative, matters of importance which some persons or organizations wish to keep secret. The three basic elements are that the investigation be the work of the reporter, not a report of an investigation made by someone else; that the subject of the story involves something of reasonable importance to the reader or viewer, and that others are attempting to hide these matters from the public. This specialized type of reporting (or journalism) also has the additional element of exposing wrong-doing. of uncovering violations of law, regulations, codes of standards, or even commonsense or decency. The focus is not only on institutional wrongs but also on the persons who commit the wrongs. It must start with a reason to believe that something is wrong, that someone has done something wrong (Ullilian: 19952). However, the origin of this type of reporting is not yet town, but it is said to have evolved from interpretative reporting which came in the wake of the invention of the electronic media to fill the yawning gap between the print and the broadcast media. Relatively new as the term is, investigative journalism has through the decade metamorphosed into a formidable tool for critically and thoroughly exposing facts and secrets which governments, institutions, organizations or individuals would naturally try to obscure from the public. It must be noted that fact-finding and fact-giving are some of the basic goals of journalism. Hence, it is necessary to determine any doubtful issue and that must be made public too. However, Ugwu, (2010) observes that investigative journalism in a developing nation like Nigeria is threatened with numerous challenges which are almost crippling its proper practice, its prospects notwithstanding

1.2 Statement of the Problem

There are claims that investigative journalism has been in the decline since its hay days in the 1970s, and many investigations are now more concerned with entertainment than information (Harcup,2009:110). However, investigative journalism as practiced in Nigeria is ineffective as it is constrained by several problems despite its bright prospects. More often than not, journalists publish half truth, distorted stories and outright falsehood without in-depth investigation, thereby making rumours, unsubstantiated claims and emotions the bedrock of information gathering. On this background the researcher wants to investigate the problem and prospect of investigative journalism in mass media.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The objectives of the study are;

To ascertain the level of investigative journalism practice in mass media

To determine the challenges facing investigative journalism in mass media

To ascertain the prospect of investigative journalism in mass media

To ascertain whether investigative journalism is practice in mass media

1.4 Research Hypotheses

For the successful completion of the study, the following research hypotheses were formulated by the researcher;

H0: there are no challenges facing investigative journalism in mass media
H1: there are challenges facing investigative journalism in mass media

H02: there is no prospect of investigative journalism in mass media
H2: there is prospect of investigative journalism in mass media

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study will give clear insight on problems and prospect of investigative journalism in mass media. The study will be beneficial to mass media, students and the general public. The study will serve as reference to other researchers that want to embark on this topic.

1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study

The scope of the study covers problems and prospect of investigative journalism in mass media. The researcher encounters some constrain which limited the scope of the study;

a) Availability of Research Material:

The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study

b) Time:

The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.

c) Organizational Privacy:

Limited Access to the selected auditing firm makes it difficult to get all the necessary and required information concerning the activities

1.7 Definition of Terms

Problem:

A matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome

Prospect:

(sometimes pl) a probability or chance for future success, esp as based on present work or aptitude: a good job with prospects. A vision of the future; what is foreseen; expectation: she was excited at the prospect of living in London, unemployment presents a grim prospect.

Investigation:

The action of investigating something or someone; formal or systematic examination or research.

Investigative Journalism:

Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, such as serious crimes, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years researching and preparing a report.

Mass Media:

The mass media is a diversified collection of media technologies that reach a large audience via mass communication. The technologies through which this communication takes place include a variety of outlets.

1.8 Organization of the Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study.

Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature.

Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study.

Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.

Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Introduction

It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain problems and prospect of investigative journalism in mass media. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of problems and prospect of investigative journalism in mass media

5.2 Summary

This study was on problems and prospect of investigative journalism in mass media. Four objectives were raised which included: To ascertain the level of investigative journalism practice in mass media, to determine the challenges facing investigative journalism in mass media, to ascertain the prospect of investigative journalism in mass media, to ascertain whether investigative journalism is practice in mass media. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 members of Nigeria Union of Journalists. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made news correspondents, broadcasters, old membersand new members were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies

5.3 Conclusion

Based on the findings of this study, the following conclusions were made: In the first place, even though, investigative journalism is a relatively new field in journalism it is recognized and practiced in Nigeria. Also, the extent of practice of investigative journalism is rather low and not encouraging inspite of many media houses in the country. It is surprising to note that even with so much media houses in the country, the extent of practice of investigative journalism is low. On the other hand, there are no provisions for the security and insurance of the journalists who want to go into investigative journalism as death threats has been a major undoing of the practice in Nigeria. Finally effective practice of investigative journalism in Nigeria holds some alluring prospects for the future of print media in Nigeria particularly with the signing of Freedom of Information Bill (FOB) into law

5.4 Recommendation

The researcher makes the following recommendations based on the findings of the study:

Media owners should come to terms with the reality of the primary role of the media in a democratic society which is to tell the truth objectively covering all shades of opinion and facts relevant to the issue in question. This is what investigative journalism can do and the editorial policy should espouse this to the latter.

Media owners should not sacrifice the truth on the altars of partisanship or profit-making or any other selfish ends.

Journalists should constantly engage themselves in fora such as symposia, workshops and the likes to evaluate the practice of investigative journalism in the country and chat the way forward.

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