THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM AND ITS RELEVANCE TO THE PRACTICE OF JOURNALISM IN NIGERIA

INTRODUCTION:

For the purpose of this term paper on this topic on investigative journalism it is important to have  a perusal of what investigative journalism is all about, its relevance to the practice  of journalism globally with particular reference to Nigeria.
Defining investigative journalism is as elusive and problematic as defining a journalist  and journalism.
As journalism moves from the traditional concept of magazines, newspaper, radio and television to a more sophisticated electronic on line and multimedia so also is the paradigm shift from its practice.
According to Robert Parry “investigative reporting is to journalism what theoretical research is to science, having the potential to present new realities and shatter old paradigm”.
So in this paper we shall attempt to define the practice of investigative journalism
We shall discuss the mission of investigative journalists and some of the ground rules they need to adhere to in their investigation.

We shall also make references to some the investigative reporting carried out globally, observe their impact and corresponding results in shaping the polity and societal perception.
We shall also observe the above with reference to its practice in Nigeria.
We shall also attempt to discuss, critique and device pointers from examples of Africa with emphasis on Nigeria and other developed nations.

RATIONALE OR REASONS FOR THIS STUDY
The real essence of journalism is the search for truth and the main duty of journalist is to report unadulterated truth to the public.
This term paper is geared towards finding answer to various question bothering on the practice of investigative journalism in Africa and how relevant it is in line of wide spread corruption and unholy and sharp practices and risks involved in the practice of the profession in Nigeria.
It is also to prove a point that virtually all reported irrespective of their beats are investigative in nature.

Nick Davies in his book. Flat Earth News, highlight the fact that journalism has become merely  `churnalism`, putting much of the blame on media conglomerates, which are keen on putting advertisers interest to the top of their priority list and at the same time applying minimal or no emphasis on producing good quality journalistic materials for print and broadcast alike.
As it were investigative journalism is far from churnalism. It requires considerable research and evidential backing in revealing fraud, corruption or deceit, but it also involves a lot of risk which, not only at times jeopardize journalists lives, but also the lives of their friends and relatives, this is more prevalent in Africa where most investigative reporting ends with the blow of wind without adequate interpretation of what was reported.

This is one of the major variations in the practice of investigative journalism in less developed nations of Africa and developed nations.
One may then ask why is journalist involved in investigative reporting why don't they leave it to the police or other arms of the government to handle such investigation.
In an attempt to answer the above let us view and examine the definition of investigative journalism by an investigative journalist and author Philip Knightley who defined it as “having to do with story and injustice preferably an injustice or something that is wrong in society, which has been there for sometimes unnoticed by other ordinary reporters and you as an investigator bring it to the public attention to bring about social legal reforms” Phillip Knightley:2008

Investigative journalism involves exposing corruption in high places and peering into neglected corners of society. It epitomizes the popular ideal of the news media as the forth estate of the realm playing a role as a watchdog on society and its institutions, whether in Government, business or the judiciary.
Mathew  Richetson of the. Four Corners said “if the fourth estate is vital to the checks and balances of a healthy democracy, then the fourth estate itself needs a watchdog” [simulcast, 2001]

It is important to stress that a news media that exempts itself from such scrutiny cannot legitimately claim a right to scrutinize others. That is the case in most African practice of investigative reporting which is embedded with much controversies arising from amateurish investigation laden with inaccurate facts to bring such investigation to a conclusive ends to the intent that it would have impact on polity and governance and the society.
A case in point was the issue of Jumbo pay to the legislators in Nigeria which for now has been swept under carpet due to the fact that this like other investigations was not subjected to Interpretive reporting through the synergy or integration of editors and professionals which is a more assured way of sensitising and educating the mass populace.
This is why investigative reporting  is highly essential  and respected by the government of the day learning from the impact of such reporting of watergate scandal in America which led to the stepping down of the then President Nixon.
We can not claim ignorance to look warm attitudes of the governments and powerful individuals in Africa who are sole owners of media houses who use their influence to moderate and influence investigation and sometimes compel editors to kill news.

It is also important to note that investigative journalism involves risks and perils there has been cases of death resulting from this with reference to the death of some journalists in Nigeria, some laudable investigations are touted or killed from becoming a worthy news due to persistence persuasions and greed on the part of the journalist thereby discrediting the profession and  ethics of journalism
It is important to view some of the important role and values of investigative journalism in modern developed society.
Hugo[2008:68 ] states how the trend began which justify investigative journalism, the development of investigative journalism in Britain in the 1960s and the 1970s resulted in a spate of inquiries into what is the value of investigative journalism in modern society.
Maladministration and corruption that shocked Britons, who had come to assume that corruption that happened only in foreign parts. It is justified by journalism by demonstrating that the public service could not be trusted to the police itself. Hugo says that investigations cannot be left solely to the police because the police may not be able to'. Understand'[ Hugo ,2006:76]
The victims point of view and may not be able to be objective
This answer of earlier question of why is investigation not left in the hand of police and Government.

In African settings this has to be so as the journalists has an advantage of defending their source and keeping it anonymous over the police who could reveal it at will, this means the source can offer information to journalists knowing that their identities will not be revealed. This is important as an individual would be unlikely to offer information to police knowing that he or she may end up in court and open to reproach and attack.
The importance of investigative journalists lies in the fact that journalist operate under different ethical frameworks. Ethics deal with how to distinguish between right and wrong. It can be said that journalists work on the thin line between legal and illegal and they often cross it. This means that journalists can obtain information, often by deception, using false identities and using hidden camera or microphones.
Professor keeble , remarks that although there is a need for good investigations. There is also the unavoidable fact that the appetite for investigative journalism has been affected by the change that the way media organization are financed: Prof. Keeble quotes Nick Davies in Flat Earth News “many media organizations don't have the desire or the resources to invest in it”
Prof. Keeble goes on to suggest, but finance is not the only issue here.

Also, the intent has increased over the years; media generated more and more revenue from advertising. Today this is a big business. The focus of today's media is to appeal to the masses with short turn-around stories that generate readership and therefore the audience for advertisers.
This affects investigative journalism in two ways: firstly those media organizations often do not want the overhead of long investigations and secondly, that they do not wish to alienate their corporate sponsors.
Apart from this another factor hindering investigative reporting in Africa is the fear of the law in libel and defamation.
In conclusion it is obvious that investigative journalism has play some important role in journalism and it is very relevant in the practice of journalism in Nigeria as in other African countries though the practice when compared with the advance industrial nations of America and United Kingdom we can say the African Nations are still in embryonic stage of develop. It is obvious that investigative journalism has an important role to play in our society.
The fact that journalist are prepared to go to such length in the public interest means that organizations or individuals are always accountable for their actions.
It is sad to note that most people that form the majority in African environment are  rural based and as such they do not appreciate the role of investigative journalist as most reports are either inconclusive or ended up being mere  rumor without proper and detail prying into the details of the news being investigated , in the main people do not watch programmes that involves investigative reporting , neither do they buy newspapers for the in depth journalistic investigative stories, but tabloids and gossip newspaper which is made popular .
Our recommendations is that the society as a whole needs to be educated about the role that investigative journalism play with relevance to the role the journalists play as the fourth Estate, to provide public service keeping government and organization in check rather than the present perception whereby journalists are treated as traitor and rumor mongers.
There is a need for the players (the investigative reporters) to be careful how they work. They also need to be accommodating and accountable.
Most journalists work under very clear journalistic principles and as s result get good report that make a clear difference causing changes in government, putting criminals behind bars or cause an organization to completely change the way it runs.

References:Burgh,Hugo de,[2000], investigative journalism,london;Routledge
Davies,Nick[2008],Flat Earth News Nlondon H Chatto and 1indus
Keeble,R.[2001],the Newspaper Handbook ,london :Routledg
http:www.channel4.com\news\articles