Comments on: Huge boost for investigative reporters http://www.theharbinger.co.za/wordpress/2007/02/14/huge-boost-for-investigative-reporters/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:15:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: denise mhlanga http://www.theharbinger.co.za/wordpress/2007/02/14/huge-boost-for-investigative-reporters/#comment-22530 denise mhlanga Wed, 07 Mar 2007 10:02:59 +0000 http://www.big.co.za/wordpress/2007/02/14/huge-boost-for-investigative-reporters/#comment-22530 I COULDN'T AGREE MORE WITH THE AUTHOR. THE TROUBLE IS IT IS GREAT WHEN YOU LEARN THAT AT UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER CENTRES. THE REALITY IS OFTEN THAT EDITORS IN THE NEWSROOM ARE TOO BUSY TRYING TO PUT A PAPER TOGETHER THAT THEY FEEL INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM IS A WASTE OF TIME. OBVIOUSLY IF YOU ARE A JUNIOR REPORTER WHICH I AM IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.THE ISSUE OF SENIORITY ALSO DEMOTIVATES PROMISING INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING AND THAT IS WHY WE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON PRESS RELEASES BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID TO TAKE INITIATIVE AND WORK HARD. I COULDN’T AGREE MORE WITH THE AUTHOR. THE TROUBLE IS IT IS GREAT WHEN YOU LEARN THAT AT UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER CENTRES. THE REALITY IS OFTEN THAT EDITORS IN THE NEWSROOM ARE TOO BUSY TRYING TO PUT A PAPER TOGETHER THAT THEY FEEL INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM IS A WASTE OF TIME. OBVIOUSLY IF YOU ARE A JUNIOR REPORTER WHICH I AM IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.THE ISSUE OF SENIORITY ALSO DEMOTIVATES PROMISING INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING AND THAT IS WHY WE WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON PRESS RELEASES BECAUSE WE ARE AFRAID TO TAKE INITIATIVE AND WORK HARD.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.theharbinger.co.za/wordpress/2007/02/14/huge-boost-for-investigative-reporters/#comment-20265 Kevin Fri, 16 Feb 2007 18:41:19 +0000 http://www.big.co.za/wordpress/2007/02/14/huge-boost-for-investigative-reporters/#comment-20265 Don't you think money like this could more effectivly used not in investigative journalism, but in a broader program to increase quality journalism? This is similar to the "good journalism" you mention, but perhaps with more emphasis on writing skills and critical thinking. That would make a dramatic difference. On newsroom floors bland sub-standard copy is all to common. It seems in South Africa investigative journalism has become a niche everyone wants to purse because that is where the funds are. What about the quality human angle stories? What about the stories that deal with human emotions? A young journalist is either forced into investagitive journalism or spend the rest of his days scrubbing around in day to day stories. Also, what about a decent radio or television broadcast program? Twenty-four hour television networks (CNBC Africa, Al-Jazeera) are already moving into Africa, and are hiring outside of the country because the skills aren't here. This is not a knock on the excellent standards of investigative journalism in South Africa. But the gap in education and understanding of the craft between an investigative journalist and beat reporter is already to wide. We should try close it, not broaden it. Just a thought. Don’t you think money like this could more effectivly used not in investigative journalism, but in a broader program to increase quality journalism? This is similar to the “good journalism” you mention, but perhaps with more emphasis on writing skills and critical thinking. That would make a dramatic difference. On newsroom floors bland sub-standard copy is all to common.

It seems in South Africa investigative journalism has become a niche everyone wants to purse because that is where the funds are. What about the quality human angle stories? What about the stories that deal with human emotions? A young journalist is either forced into investagitive journalism or spend the rest of his days scrubbing around in day to day stories.

Also, what about a decent radio or television broadcast program? Twenty-four hour television networks (CNBC Africa, Al-Jazeera) are already moving into Africa, and are hiring outside of the country because the skills aren’t here.

This is not a knock on the excellent standards of investigative journalism in South Africa. But the gap in education and understanding of the craft between an investigative journalist and beat reporter is already to wide. We should try close it, not broaden it.

Just a thought.

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