investigative journalist
Scandal-exposing reporter
An investigative journalist is a reporter who conducts in-depth research to uncover hidden information—corruption, fraud, abuse of power, or other wrongdoing that powerful interests want concealed.
The work typically involves months of document review, source cultivation, and verification before publication: The investigative journalist spent two years building the case against the pharmaceutical company.
Investigative journalism piece
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
- leakEscape through a breach
revelation · uncover · undercover · misconduct · fraud · bribery · sting · informant
Supervision or inadvertent omission
- transparencyState of being see-through
- watchdogGuard or monitor
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
integrity · reform · check · monitor · guardian · ombudsman · sunlight · democracy
Point of origin
- interviewFormal questioning session
- fact-checkingConfirming accuracy of claims
- corroborationEvidence confirming another account
- documentWritten or electronic file
evidence · research · data · analysis · archive · verification · FOIA · tip
Article author identification
- deadlineTime limit for completion
- editorOne who revises text
- articleWritten piece or grammatical word
- storyAccount of events
beat · headline · publication · assignment · pitch · draft · column · feature
Confirming accuracy of claims
- veracityConformity to fact
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- proofDemonstration of truth
credibility · confirmation · substantiation · debunking · authentication · reliability · objectivity · documentation
exposé
Investigative journalism piece
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
leak · revelation · uncover · undercover · misconduct · fraud · bribery · sting · informant · scoop
oversight
Supervision or inadvertent omission
- transparencyState of being see-through
- watchdogGuard or monitor
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
ethics · integrity · reform · check · monitor · guardian · ombudsman · sunlight · democracy · power
source
Point of origin
- interviewFormal questioning session
- fact-checkingConfirming accuracy of claims
- corroborationEvidence confirming another account
document · evidence · research · data · analysis · archive · verification · FOIA · tip · off-the-record
byline
Article author identification
story · beat · headline · publication · assignment · pitch · draft · column · feature · series
fact-checking
Confirming accuracy of claims
proof · credibility · confirmation · substantiation · debunking · authentication · reliability · objectivity · documentation · sourcing
probe
Thorough examination or tool
persistent · tenacious · follow-up · lead · tip · pursuit · unrelenting · deep-dive · inquiry
- eco-thrillerseco-terrorism, ecoterrorism, oil spill, toxic waste, environmental activism
- Press FiguresJoseph Pulitzer, William Randolph Hearst, Ida Tarbell, Nellie Bly, Edward R. Murrow
- writersauthor, novelist, writer, poet, essayist
investigative journalistpropagandist
Pusher of biased messaging
investigative journaliststenographer
Person recording spoken words
aggregator · news reader · talking head · breaking news reporter · beat reporter
investigative journalistgovernment spokesperson
State communication representative
press secretary · communications director · propagandist · spin doctor · court historian
investigative, journalist, investigate, investigation, investigator, investigators, investigations, investigating, investigated