COURSE TITLE: Investigative Journalism

Course Code: JM 225 Credit Value: 3 Credits

Contact Hours

• Lectures: 2 hours/week

• Practical / Investigative Reporting Workshops: 2 hours/week

Duration: 15 Weeks (One Semester) Prerequisite: JM 211 – Feature Writing and Editorial Practice; JM 114 – Media Ethics and Law

1. Course Description

This course develops advanced knowledge and practical skills in investigative journalism, focusing on systematic, evidence-based reporting of issues of significant public interest. Students learn how to identify investigative topics, formulate hypotheses, gather and verify evidence, analyse public records and datasets, conduct in-depth interviews, protect confidential sources, and produce accurate, balanced, and legally defensible investigative reports.

The course examines investigative methodologies, public records research, data journalism, financial and corporate investigations, environmental reporting, human rights reporting, conflict-sensitive investigations, digital verification techniques, and collaborative investigative journalism. Students also explore legal, ethical, and safety considerations, including risk assessment, source protection, privacy, defamation, and responsible publication.

Practical workshops simulate professional investigative newsroom environments through document analysis, interviewing exercises, verification activities, and investigative reporting projects.

The course prepares students for careers in investigative reporting, public-interest journalism, documentary production, data journalism, and accountability reporting.

2. Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Explain the principles, processes, and importance of investigative journalism.

2. Identify and develop investigative story ideas based on evidence and public interest.

3. Conduct systematic research using documents, databases, public records, and interviews.

4. Apply data analysis and digital verification techniques in investigative reporting.

5. Evaluate the credibility, reliability, and relevance of sources and evidence.

6. Apply legal, ethical, and safety principles throughout the investigative process.

7. Produce well-documented investigative reports that meet professional journalistic standards.

8. Demonstrate collaboration and project management in investigative journalism.

3. Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

• Explain investigative journalism methodologies and professional standards.

• Develop investigative proposals with clear hypotheses and reporting plans.

• Locate, obtain, organise, and evaluate documentary and digital evidence.

• Conduct advanced interviews with appropriate source protection and verification.

• Apply data analysis and digital verification techniques to investigative reporting.

• Produce accurate, balanced, and legally sound investigative stories.

• Assess legal, ethical, and personal safety risks associated with investigative reporting.

• Present a comprehensive investigative journalism portfolio.