![]() It should be multi-sourced – a single source can provide fascinating revelations and (depending on who the source is) access to insights and information that would otherwise be hidden. It should produce new information or put together previously available information in a new way to reveal its significance – if the information or the understanding of its importance is not new, then, what exactly are you investigating? You must see evidence, and hear and analyze answers for yourself, and go beyond simply verifying the tip. Instead, you must develop hypotheses about what the tip means and plan additional research, decide on the relevant questions, and go out to ask them. You may end up defaming someone, printing lies or being framed by somebody’s agents. It carries huge risks, since you have not investigated the identify, bona fides or motives of your source or the authenticity of the evidence. In fact, doing such a thing may be both lazy and careless. Although an in-depth story can start with a tip, simply reporting the tip, or printing the secret document that is anonymously faxed through to you, is not in-depth reportage. It is original and proactive – in-depth stories have to be based on the work of the journalist and (where resources permit) his or her team. It goes through recognised stages of planning and reporting, and has to work to accepted standards of accuracy and evidence. It is a process, not an event in-depth journalism never provides an instant story. That term is sometimes used by governments to justify illegal, dangerous or unethical acts on the excuse of “my country, right or wrong,” – or, indeed, to discourage journalists from reporting on a real problem. It does not have to be the whole country, and, indeed ‘public interest’ may be different from ‘national interest’. “Public interest” means the interest of the community affected. Reporters need a clear sense of what their mission is and whom they serve, and this can involve heated newsroom debates. However, the logging industry may not want this information spread, as logging will then cost it more. Forest-dwellers can demand better prices if they know the world market value of trees that logging companies want to fell. Sometimes what benefits one community may disadvantage another. The issue or topic has to be of public interest – “public interest” means that either a community will be disadvantaged by not knowing this information, or will benefit (either materially or through informed decision-making) by knowing it. It is about digging deeply into an issue or topic as the word ‘in-depth’ implies, simply relaying a simple ‘bite’ of information – “A cattle fair will be held in X village next month” – cannot count as in-depth journalism. it is thorough reporting with background facts of the news situation, its human interest, its impact and magnitude in human terms and its meaning to society. ![]() In-depth reporting means deep digging, digging far below the surface, search and research, inquiry, investigation and exploration into the news situation to bring out its significance (Ciboh & Iyorkyaa, 2004, p.9). In-depth reporting, also called advanced reporting is a detailed, balanced and thorough treatment of facts or events and issues with background orientation to explain the why and how, for the benefit of readers. It maintains that an in-depth report is a combination of research, interviews, observation, writing and re-writing. Revealing what is being hidden, nailing down lies that have been told and it is equally reporting of concealed information or uncovering what somebody wants to keep as secret. The discourse contends that in-depth reporting is uncovering what is being covered up. It is anchored on agenda setting theory of the mass media which has volume and depth of reporting as some of its tenets. Benue State University, discourse explores in-depth reporting as a genre of journalistic/news writing.
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