In the past 10 years, the world’s approach to media has taken a series of drastic and unexpected changes. With the combination of social media, misinformation, and now the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the responsibilities placed on journalists and serious publications have become more poignant, and their role far more complicated. Furthermore, attempts to threaten free speech and censor the media by various governments ultimately places the role of investigative journalism in a delicate place.
Investigative journalism plays an undoubtedly important role in society. Whether exposing the corrupt or unjust actions of those in power, or shedding light on some of the most difficult and important topics in society, investigative journalism’s role in accountability is vital in a world where the truth is increasingly more difficult to access.
With the emergence of AI, investigative journalists must utilize and harness its ability to aid investigative work, rather than let it eliminate the profession altogether. AI may be able to supply facts and information quickly, but investigative journalists can and must survive.
Historically, investigative journalism has had a significant effect on political and ethical decisions at home and abroad. Its long-term focus, use of detective-like tools (which can sometimes be dangerous), and whistleblower-like intentions have allowed journalists to inform the public of an abundance of social, political and economic issues. Such important examples in U.S. history include Ida B. Well’s exposure of violent racism and lynchings in the south, Upton Sinclair’s reporting on meatpacking which led to the FDA, or Woodward and Bernstein’s investigation which lead to the Watergate Scandal and President Richad Nixon’s resignation.
Internationally today, journalists like the Zimbabwean Hopewell Chin’ono or Nigerian Daniel Ojukwu have exposed corruption in their home countries, and even have been censored or arrested for their important work. This type of journalism, clearly, can and has made serious changes towards societal improvement and towards accountability.
But, despite this, investigative journalism is becoming a dying art. Between 2008 and 2024, newsroom jobs dropped an astonishing 74 percent. Additionally, due to its reputation as a time-consuming practice, and the rise of the internet – which has sped up the news cycle and given whistleblowers a new way to reveal their information – investigative journalism has struggled even more. Now, it faces the issue of AI, which can report on a plethora of issues and collate thousands of stories and documents in seconds, without the cost and time usually associated with investigative journalism. Nevertheless, investigative journalism has found a way to adapt, and there is certainly hope for the profession.
Primarily, investigative journalism requires human skills and shrewdness that AI lacks. Many long-form journalists must be able to conduct difficult interviews, acquire heavily guarded or hidden information (that most AI can’t access), and even rely on secret informants, which can require face-to-face meetings.
Additionally, in some parts of the world (like the aforementioned Zimbabwe or Nigeria) where free speech is restricted, investigative journalism is crucial amidst the threat of consequences. Reporting on societal trends, such as public health crises, corporate exploitation, racial injustice and corruption is vital to maintaining democracy and civil liberties globally.
Yet, there is still a place for AI and the internet in the work of investigative journalism. AI can comb through far more data than any human can with speed and (relative) accuracy. For example even investigative nonprofits, like ProPublica have used AI to help find patterns in things like Ebola outbreaks. By utilizing the tools of the newer world of tech and AI, investigative journalists can eliminate issues such as timeliness and expenses.
Journalism and the media must adapt in order to survive. Investigative journalism is incredibly important as a cog in society’s fluid system of checks and balances on those in power. Thus, instead of being concerned with the growing power of tools like AI and social media as a threat to their profession, investigative journalists should harness these tools to enhance their own work, which is unreplicable by an algorithm. As long as injustice persists, free speech suppressed and civil liberties restricted, there will always be a need for investigative journalism. Society needs journalists now just as much as ever.
