To be considered a true investigative feature, the reporting must typically meet these criteria:
: Reporters use computers and specialized tools to analyze large datasets, identifying patterns or anomalies that point to wrongdoing. Investigative Journalism
: It involves a clear plan, from choosing a topic to gathering diverse perspectives and multi-source verification. How Investigative Journalists Work To be considered a true investigative feature, the
: The subject matter should involve issues like corruption, law violations, or social injustice that directly affect society. : The investigation is the reporter's own work,
: The investigation is the reporter's own work, not a summary of existing findings or an interpretation of already public data.
: Working with confidential sources who expose internal secrets while ensuring their protection.
While digital tools have empowered storytelling through interactive maps and multimedia, the field faces significant structural hurdles: