The changing nature of investigative journalism

A new research award will study the impact of innovative technologies and new funding mechanisms on the role and working practices of investigative journalists.

The Innovation in Investigative Journalism project or SCOOP, will document how developments in digital media and new technologies (drones, mobile cameras, software) and changing funding models (crowdsourcing, foundation funding) are altering the nature of investigative journalism and its role in democracy.

The research will be funded by a ‘Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions’ individual fellowships scheme and will be carried out by Research Fellow Maria Konow-Lund. Maria, who is currently an Associate Professor in Television Journalism and Lecturer at Oslo & Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, will arrive in Cardiff University this autumn.

Supervising the research will be the School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies’ Research Director, Professor Karin Wahl-Jorgensen. She said, “Because traditional media organisations have typically struggled to adapt to new user patterns, work more efficiently with fewer journalists and locate new financing models for the resource-intensive practice of investigative journalism, there are now fewer investigative organisations and journalists.

“Within this changing landscape, however, alternative practices and professionals have emerged, to such an extent that they are now becoming a marketing strategy for media outlets and a tool to gain market share and new customers in a digital world.

“Our research will focus on the latest developments in technology and how in turn the impact of these developments are changing investigative journalism’s relationship with the media, the public and news itself.”

Maria will be the School’s third fellow appointed via a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions fellowship. Laura Basu in October 2014 researched changing news narratives during the financial crisis and Joan Haran in October 2015, researched the use of cultural production to influence social transformation.