Simpe Steps For Investigatvie Journalist

One of my close friend who works for a Kannada channel in Hubli as a reporter called me up the other day to discuss on his intention to carry out an investigative sting operation with a subject. To give him a suggestion on following strict terms and regulations while carrying out a sting operation came to my mind but i give it a thought before delivering it to him. Every reporter of working in various media should never reveal his intention of conducting investigative operation to anyone. No matter what how close his friends are yet the discussion on the subject must go on like everyday and should not be stopped in between just because of the bondage between the other.

Before jumping into investigative operations one should be careful enough to find out the consequences after performing it. If any of the element in the whole process gets stucked in the middle the reporter will face a severe punishment from accused or from the publication. A thorough preparation before launching his investigation in disguise should be done so that the secre remains with him. While in initial stages a reporter should inform his higher authorities of his proposed project and the objective of doing it. Because without the permission of the publication his/her artilces might find a place in the dustbin. So, in the first hand held a discussion with the senior staff of your publication whether such investigations could be done to give a justice to it. If no journalists had done any investigative reports on the same topic before then its a clear green signal for you to go ahead with the selected subject. If you find similar write-ups then refer them for extraction of information for your article base.

Here are some of the following suggestions for an investigative journalist:-

• Build contacts whom you feel have a link with the subject


• Keep an eye on the developments in the subject


• Never disclose your approach with the subject to a third person


• When you done some action with the subject write it on anything on the same day

As the time pass by an investigative reporter will understand by oneself with the nature of the subject and its necessity to the publication. Just jump into it and don't bother who cries for it.