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Print Price: $114.99

Format:
Paperback
272 pp.
6" x 9.1"

ISBN-13:
9780195374025

Copyright Year:
2009

Imprint: OUP US

Watchdog Journalism

The Act of Investigative Writing

Stephen J. Berry

In Watchdog Journalism, Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Stephen Berry analyzes the genesis, development, and outcome of six award winning investigative stories. This textbook, primarily intended for courses on investigative reporting, but of real interest to journalism majors and professionals in the field, draws a straight line between the role of reporter and public discourse in a free society.

Specifically, the text best reflects proper investigative reporting techniques through a case study approach that examines each of the journalistic pieces in-depth. In particular, Berry reveals, 1) how great investigative stories evolve; 2) how journalists view their role as public watchdog; and 3) how crucial a model of ethical reporting standards is to advancing the role of journalism in our society. Berry underscores his analysis with information obtained through interviews with the respective journalist or journalistic teams. These interviews reveal the experiences of each journalist through each step in the reporting and writing process, as the author explains, "I let the journalists show you how it worked on their stories and reveal what they were thinking while they worked."(p.3)

Readership : Suitable for courses in Investigative Reporting, In-depth Journalism, and Beat Reporting (could be used as a supplement for Advanced Newswriting & Reporting courses).

Preface
Introduction
1. Investigative Mentality Exposes Cash-Seizure Abuse
2. Secret Sources, Documents Unlock Dark Secret
3. Persistence, Empathy Used in Tracking Tiger Force Terror
4. Soft Touch Shows Ship Breaking Kills, Maims
5. Paper Trail Reveals Exploitation of Mentally Ill
6. Daily Coverage Key to Hospital Horrors
Conclusions
Discussion Questions
Appendix A: Court Record in Chapter II
Appendix B: Coy Allegation in Chapter III

Online Instructor Website

Stephen Berry is an Associate Professor at the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

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Special Features

Highlights 6 Pulitzer-Prize winning investigative pieces.
Story-telling technique reveals the backstory of each of the Pulitzer investigative projects and the journalists who produced them, giving students an "in-the-trenches" look at investigative reporting.
Includes one of the six articles co-written by the author in Appendix A: "Tainted Cash or Easy Money".
Original interviews with the reporter or team of reporters.
Text contextualizes investigative reporting within the larger Journalism field.