Journalists, sources, and policy outcomes: Insights from three-plus decades of investigative reporting contest entries. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lanosga, Gerry; Martin, Jason
• Is Part Of: Journalism. Volume 19:Number 12(2018)
• Page Start: 1676
• Page End: 1693
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Agenda-building -- investigative reporting -- news production -- politics/political communication/political journalism -- sources; Journalism -- Periodicals; Journalism -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 070.405
• DOI: 10.1177/1464884916683555
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-8849

Abstract

This study of American investigative reporting from 1976 to 2012 examines a random sample (N = 757) of prize contest entry materials created by journalists. This novel data source and methodology allow for analysis of the dynamics of journalistic process rather than relying on assumptions drawn from published news content. The results provide a fuller and more sophisticated explanation of how investigative journalism is related to democratic governance, including fresh insight into journalist/source relationships, story triggers, policy outcomes, and agenda-building relationships among journalists, sources, and policymakers. A model for predicting policy agenda-building in investigative journalism is proposed and tested based on attributes of the reporting process, policy results, and other actions by public officials produced by journalists' investigations. While the analysis indicates a key role for sources in the origination of investigative news stories, it also reveals a more prominent place for journalistic enterprise than previously acknowledged. At the same time, investigative stories that are initiated by tips from sources and that have a more diverse array of sources are more likely to achieve substantive policy results. Overall, the findings point to a greater degree of interdependence among investigative reporters and policymakers that challenges conceptions of journalists as passive recipients of information but also reveals the limitations of news organizations' ability to independently spark policy change.