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Investigative Journalism

Digital Journalism · Level 6  ·  6 Chapters

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What Investigative Journalism covers

Choosing a story of public interest and then digging for it is the thread of Investigative Journalism in Digital Journalism Level 6. Topic selection covers public interest, channels for digging out information and the qualities of an investigative journalist. Sources are split into primary and secondary, with an information extraction process. Techniques cover investigative interviewing and subterfuge, and carrying out an investigation adds interviewing skills and methods of protecting sources. In-depth copy covers the lead, introduction, body, conclusion, paper trail and challenges. Promotional content ends the unit with channels of promotion, promotional videos, blurbs and teasers.

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Careers after Investigative Journalism

Investigative journalism is a powerful skill that opens doors to uncovering truths that affect communities across Kenya. Whether you dream of working in media houses, NGOs, or even starting your own investigative platform, mastering these skills will position you as a trusted voice in society.

  • Media Houses and Newsrooms: Organizations like Nation Media Group, Standard Group, and Radio Africa Group rely heavily on investigative journalists to expose corruption, social injustices, and environmental issues. Skilled journalists here earn competitive salaries and bonuses for impactful stories.
  • County Governments and Public Sector: County communication offices and watchdog agencies need investigative journalists to monitor and report on public projects, ensuring transparency and accountability at the grassroots level.
  • NGOs and Advocacy Groups: Organizations such as Transparency International Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission employ investigative journalists to research and report on human rights abuses, governance, and policy failures.
  • Self-Employment and Freelance Journalism: With a smartphone and internet access, you can start your own investigative blog or YouTube channel focusing on local issues like the matatu industry challenges, jua kali sector struggles, or agribusiness corruption. Monetization through ads, sponsorships, and grants is possible.
  • Specialized Sectors: Energy companies like KenGen and agricultural bodies like KTDA often collaborate with investigative journalists to highlight sectoral challenges and successes, creating niche reporting opportunities.
  • Community Impact: By mastering investigative journalism, you become a vital agent of change, empowering citizens with information that can influence policy, improve public services, and fight injustice.

Your skills will not only earn you a livelihood but also place you at the heart of Kenya’s democratic process. Keep pushing boundaries—your stories can transform lives and build a more transparent society.

Chapters

1
Determine investigative topic
5 topics
Open chapter →
2
Determine investigative news sources
4 topics
Open chapter →
3
Apply investigative techniques
2 topics
Open chapter →
4
Carry out investigative journalism
5 topics
Open chapter →
5
Prepare in-depth copy
8 topics
Open chapter →
6
Prepare promotional content
3 topics
Open chapter →
What Investigative Journalism covers: 27 main topics in 6 chapters

1. Determine investigative topic

  1. 1.1 Public interest on the issue is established based on topic
  2. 1.2 Channels of digging out information are determined based on organizational structures
  3. 1.3 Sources of investigative story are selected based on the topic
  4. 1.4 Investigative topic is selected based on organizational guidelines
  5. 1.5 Qualities of investigative journalist

2. Determine investigative news sources

  1. 2.1 Types of investigative sources
  2. 2.2 Primary investigative news sources
  3. 2.3 Secondary investigative news sources
  4. 2.4 Information extraction process

3. Apply investigative techniques

  1. 3.1 Investigative interviewing techniques
  2. 3.2 Investigative subterfuge techniques

4. Carry out investigative journalism

  1. 4.1 Nature of sources of investigative reporting
  2. 4.2 Types of sources of investigative resources
  3. 4.3 Interviewing skills for investigative reporting
  4. 4.4 Methods of protection of sources
  5. 4.5 Investigative story

5. Prepare in-depth copy

  1. 5.1 Meaning of in-depth reporting
  2. 5.2 Importance of in-depth reporting
  3. 5.3 Characteristics of in-depth reporting
  4. 5.4 Process of in-depth reporting
  5. 5.5 Challenges of in-depth reporting
  6. 5.6 Effects of in-depth reporting
  7. 5.7 Paper trail in depth reporting
  8. 5.8 Type of investigative lead

6. Prepare promotional content

  1. 6.1 Channels of promotion
  2. 6.2 Promotional videos
  3. 6.3 Blurbs and teasers

Revise this unit

Exam-style questions 84 Written to CDACC standard, with answers Test yourself 204 Multiple-choice, one at a time Practise questions 156 Quick recall — check you know the facts
3 more for this unit
Oral exam preparation 49 What the assessor asks, and how to answer out loud Worked calculations 7 Step-by-step maths with the common mistakes Quick cards 989 Myth busters, skill tips and scenarios

Beyond the syllabus

Decision simulator 5 On site, what would you do? Workplace scenarios 102 Real site situations — what would you do? Turn this into income 24 Where this skill earns — what to charge, how to find clients

Other units in Module V