Week 4: Discussion One and Two Student Response and Assignment

Troy Neal

A journalist of any sort, but especially an investigative journalist, needs to vet their sources on a deeper level. Regardless of the story you are chasing a journalist lives and dies by their work, and their work needs to be able to hold up to even the harshest scrutiny. “An investigative journalist should check a source’s resume line by line for exaggerations or falsifications.” (Houston, 2007) Getting information is always the goal for an investigative journalist, however, you also need to have information before going forward, albeit a different type of information, but information nonetheless. Being prepared for an interview is almost as vital as finding out a particular part of any information that a journalist is trying to uncover.

Knowledge and information about a particular topic could very well make someone an expert in that field. However, without substantial proof that the information they are giving is not only honest but gained through proper channels cannot go unnoticed. Information in this social media driven world can be skewed to fit a narrative, which is why when vetting a source and checking their credentials that you are thorough. One mistake, one untruthful quote, can alter perspectives and cause irreparable damage.

After checking the credentials of your source, which includes their background, you must determine their motivation. Is the source a “socially conscious who wants to correct injustices and change the world?” Is the source “a disgruntled employee who wants to get even with his boss?” (Houston, 2007) These are questions that you need to ask and then answer so that if your source is vetted by someone else, they will be able to defend their actions and opinions.

References

Houston, B. (2009). The investigative reporter’s handbook: A guide to documents, databases, and techniques (5th). Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin