Techno-media amplifications of investigative journalism

Media as a message carrier is observed in the study as a part of journalistic activity which includes Investigative Journalism as an accepted chore. The calibre of investigative journalism in India is probed in this paper as a review to know relevancies in a developing country situation. The impact of technology on the media practices, including the changing design of print and the new waves in broadcasting are recognised. Proliferation and impact of television programmes due to exploiting of techno-tools are explained.

Scope of the study
This paper looks into the actualities, extensions and effects of investigative journalism practices, both of print and electronic media.  It addresses the functions and shortcomings of the related institutions like law, professional bodies, governments and politics.

Significance
For developing situations and LDCs, the practices of Investigative Journalism, moreover using technology tools, is like a bolt from the blue.  The very foundations of democracy becomes questionable and the nuances of socio-economic and cultural structure of the nations get entangled and often leads to confusion with issues of practices in investigation and the ethics of use of techno-tools.

Objectives
1.    To analyse the relationship between media, investigative journalism and technology
2.    To look into the implications of technology usage in mass media
3.    To suggest measures to mitigate negative impact of technology uses by media

Methodology  
The study is of an explorative type. Various case studies drawn from both media and society are used to explore the ramifications of investigative journalism due to technology usages. It gives valuable tips on the role of other institutions to make it compatible towards the causes of investigative journalism. Even as exploring, a blend of critical approach in the study helps the practitioners to reflect and introspect upon themselves about the aptness and rightness of the use of technology in their practices.
 
The paper probes the ethics of investigative journalism, the good and the bad, the legal position on “stings”, the pressures on investigative reporting, and the success stories amid controversies are brought out in the study. The advanced electronic way of investigative reporting in the pretext of cleansing the society is viewed critically. The new dimensions of citizen journalism and its contribution are also explored. The ethics in the emerging trends of the new genres of TV production are questioned. Finally the relevance of investigative journalism to social responsibility is examined. Inferences and conclusion are arrived at through such an exploration.

Keywords:  Investigative journalism, technology, Techno-tools, negative impact, introspect, legal position, citizen journalism
 

Dr B.K.Ravi, M.A., M.S., Ph.D.,  is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Studies in Communication, Bangalore University, P.K. Block, Palace Road, Bangalore-560009, India. He has more than two decades of teaching and research experience. He also has an MA in English Literature from University of Mysore and also a PG Diploma in Translation from the same university.  He had a five year stint as journalist with the regional vernacular daily Prajavani. His specialised areas include journalism, film appreciation, electronic media, public relations and industrial communication, traditional folk media for rural communication, magazine production, communication skills, political communication and international communication.