A Guide to Investigative Journalism Manuals

08.07.2013, 14:00

To help journalists around the world, the GIJN staff has assembled a comprehensive list of investigative journalism manuals in different languages. There are several free thematic guides, ranging from watchdog reporting to coverage of environmental issues and tracking corruption. We also recommend some must-have books for journalists who want to learn more about data journalism, and we list multilingual resources for teaching and training.

If you think a guide should be included, write us at hello(at)gijn(dot)org.

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FREE GUIDES

Story-Based Inquiry: A comprehensive guide to investigative reporting, co-authored by Mark Hunter, Drew Sullivan, Pia Thosden, Rana Sabbagh and Luuk Sengers. This UNESCO-funded manual uses case studies to illustrate methods and skills, including research, writing, quality control, and dissemination. Read the book in:

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The Global Investigative Journalism Casebook: This casebook accompanies Story-Based Inquiry. Investigative articles with background on how the reporters researched and wrote the story.

Languages: English

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The Investigative Journalism Manual: Published and continually updated by the Forum for African Investigative Reporters (FAIR).

Languages: English, French, Portuguese

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A Watchdog’s Guide to Investigative Reporting (PDF): Emphasizes reporting in Africa. This 2005 English-language Manual “provides examples of good practice and looks at the challenges of this discipline for those curious about pursuing investigative assignments.”

Languages: English

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Raising Hell: A Citizen’s Guide to the Fine Art of Investigation (PDF): The Center for Investigative Reporting, the world’s first nonprofit investigative reporting center, offers this guide to train the general public on how to “investigate, uncover corruption and expose the weak spots of power.”

Languages: English

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Guide to Investigative Journalism: This simple 2007 series by the Public Broadcasting Service in the U.S. takes the reporter through how to identify a story, conduct an investigative interview, locate and obtain documents, package your story and get it out to the public.

Languages: English

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Cómo Investigar Temas Ambientales: A guide to investigating environmental issues in South America. (PDF)

Languages: Spanish

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Investigative Online Search: This guide, published by the UK-based Centre for Investigative Journalism in 2011, discusses how to find information online and verify its veracity.

Languages: English

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Follow the Money: A Digital Guide to Tracking Corruption: This free handbook is published by the International Center for Journalists.

Languages: English, Russian, Georgian

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Manual for Arab Journalists on Freedom of Information and Investigative Reporting: A free, downloadable, 21-page handbook by Article 19, funded by the United Nations Development Programme.

Languages: English, Arabic

BOOKS FOR PURCHASE

The Investigative Reporter’s Handbook: The classic guide to muckraking published by Investigative Reporters and Editors.

Languages: English

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Digging Deeper: A Guide for Investigative Journalists in the Balkans: This guide published by BIRN, the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, focuses on how to dig up records and data in the region. Author Sheila Coronel, director of Columbia University’s Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism, also offers tips and techniques on investigative reporting.

Languages: English

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Periodismo de Investigación, by Gerardo Reyes

Languages: Spanish

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Computer-Assisted Reporting: A Comprehensive Primer, By Fred Vallance-Jones and David McKie

Languages: English

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Computer-Assisted Reporting: A Practical Guide, the E-version by Brant Houston

Languages: English

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Computer-Assisted Research: Information Strategies and Tools for Journalists, By Nora Paul and Kathleen A. Hansen

Languages: English

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Mapping for Stories: A Computer-Assisted Reporting Guide: By Jennifer LaFleur and Andy Lehren

Languages: English

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Precision Journalism: a Reporter’s Introduction to Social Science Methods: by Philip Meyer

Languages: English

TEACHING AND TRAINING

Dig Deep & Aim High: The International Center for Journalists published a guide on how to teach investigative techniques. The e-book is free but the process is a bit clunky.

Languages: English

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Model Curricula for Journalism Education: A guide targeted at journalism faculty in developing countries and emerging democracies. Developed by UNESCO, the manual offers syllabi for 17 courses – including investigative reporting – that can be tailored to the needs of each country.