J-Topics
Dec 10, 2009
- Posted by Cecil
Rosner
A ruling by the Manitoba Court of Appeal this week has some important lessons for police and the media, and the troubling tendency on the part of police agencies to use media to further their investigations.
Five years ago, police forces were given a new tool called the production order. Though it bears some similarities to a search warrant, a production order can compel someone who is not the subject of an investigation to turn over documents and video tape to the police.
When a media outlet is served with a production order, a series of important questions touching on freedom of the press are raised. These can be particularly vexing when it comes to investigative journalism, but the principles involved are important for all types of reporting.
Five years ago, police forces were given a new tool called the production order. Though it bears some similarities to a search warrant, a production order can compel someone who is not the subject of an investigation to turn over documents and video tape to the police.
When a media outlet is served with a production order, a series of important questions touching on freedom of the press are raised. These can be particularly vexing when it comes to investigative journalism, but the principles involved are important for all types of reporting.
Nov 25, 2009
- Posted by Cecil
Rosner
With non-profit and foundation-sponsored institutes of investigative journalism emerging across the U.S., Cecil Rosner examines the burning question of sustainability.
With non-profit and foundation-sponsored institutes of investigative journalism emerging across the U.S., Cecil Rosner examines the burning question of sustainability.
Nov 09, 2009
- Posted by Cecil
Rosner
Frontline/World and the Center for Investigative Reporting have announced a unique joint project which will encompass radio, print, television and online reports.
Over the next year, they will report on what they call the "soon to be trillion-dollar carbon trading market."
With climate change such a pressing issue in the world today, this shapes up to be an important and ambitious year-long collaboration.
Over the next year, they will report on what they call the "soon to be trillion-dollar carbon trading market."
With climate change such a pressing issue in the world today, this shapes up to be an important and ambitious year-long collaboration.
Oct 22, 2009
- Posted by Cecil
Rosner
Two of the most damaging political scandals of the last decade, the sponsorship affair and Shawinigate, involved the use of insider whistleblower information.
In both cases, investigative reporters are now fighting for the right to continue protecting the identity of those whistleblowers. The decision rests with the Supreme Court of Canada.
In both cases, investigative reporters are now fighting for the right to continue protecting the identity of those whistleblowers. The decision rests with the Supreme Court of Canada.
Oct 13, 2009
- Posted by Cecil
Rosner
Tommy Douglas has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, movies and debates that finally crowned him, in a CBC competition, as the Greatest Canadian.
But the federal government is still reluctant to tell Canadians everything they know about the man.
Canadian Press reporter Jim Bronskill, who knows the Access to Information Act better than most any other journalist in Canada, has tried and so far failed to pry the information loose. He filed an access request in 2005, getting a file that showed the RCMP secretly monitored the former NDP leader's speeches and even eavesdropped on private conversations. But much of the file was blacked out.
Now Canadian Press is taking the federal government to court to force disclosure of hundreds of pages of material they have so far withheld.
But the federal government is still reluctant to tell Canadians everything they know about the man.
Canadian Press reporter Jim Bronskill, who knows the Access to Information Act better than most any other journalist in Canada, has tried and so far failed to pry the information loose. He filed an access request in 2005, getting a file that showed the RCMP secretly monitored the former NDP leader's speeches and even eavesdropped on private conversations. But much of the file was blacked out.
Now Canadian Press is taking the federal government to court to force disclosure of hundreds of pages of material they have so far withheld.
Oct 11, 2009
- Posted by Cecil
Rosner
One of the most potent threats to investigative journalism comes from the legal departments of big corporations, writes Cecil Rosner. Here's a great example and the lessons for journalists.
One of the most potent threats to investigative journalism comes from the legal departments of big corporations, writes Cecil Rosner. Here's a great example and the lessons for journalists.
Oct 04, 2009
- Posted by Cecil
Rosner
What happens when investigative journalism intersects with the travel industry?
A unique website that employs undercover visits and undoctored photography to review hotel rooms.
A unique website that employs undercover visits and undoctored photography to review hotel rooms.
Sep 15, 2009
- Posted by Cecil
Rosner
The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) has unveiled its first foray into investigative journalism with the premiere of APTN Investigates on Sept. 18. Cecil Rosner spoke to the program's executive producer.
Sep 13, 2009
- Posted by Cecil
Rosner
How many investigative journalists could benefit from some free research support?
Quite a few, judging from the way many media organizations appear to be retreating from this field lately. In Britain, a unique program offers support from students at London's City University journalism department.
Journalists fill out an online application, and if approved, get free research services for up to six months.
This is a model journalism departments in Canada should look at seriously. It provides some real-life experience to students in a way that might be more beneficial than a traditional internship.
The key, though, is having an experienced investigative journalist mentoring the students. Luckily City University has Gavin MacFadyen in that role.
How many investigative journalists could benefit from some free research support?
Quite a few, judging from the way many media organizations appear to be retreating from this field lately. In Britain, a unique program offers support from students at London's City University journalism department.
Journalists fill out an online application, and if approved, get free research services for up to six months.
This is a model journalism departments in Canada should look at seriously. It provides some real-life experience to students in a way that might be more beneficial than a traditional internship.
The key, though, is having an experienced investigative journalist mentoring the students. Luckily City University has Gavin MacFadyen in that role.
Sep 13, 2009
- Posted by Cecil
Rosner
A decade ago there were more than 80 reporters based in Sacramento, scrutinizing the state government. Now the number has declined to about 25.
That is why a new non-profit organization called California Watch was founded. Created by the Center for Investigative Reporting, it hired a dozen journalists with the help of foundations and sponsors. This makes it the biggest investigative team in the state.
This week it distributed its first major investigation, a look at waste and mismanagement in the state's homeland security spending. Versions of the story have already run in more than two dozen news organizations.
It's just the latest example of how investigative reporting is migrating from the private to the public sector in the U.S.
That is why a new non-profit organization called California Watch was founded. Created by the Center for Investigative Reporting, it hired a dozen journalists with the help of foundations and sponsors. This makes it the biggest investigative team in the state.
This week it distributed its first major investigation, a look at waste and mismanagement in the state's homeland security spending. Versions of the story have already run in more than two dozen news organizations.
It's just the latest example of how investigative reporting is migrating from the private to the public sector in the U.S.
Investigative Journalism
Investigative journalism aims to hold powerful institutions of all kinds to account, and it does so with a rigorous search for the truth. Cecil Rosner is managing editor for CBC Manitoba. He teaches investigative journalism at the University of Winnipeg, and is the author of Behind the Headlines: A History of Investigative Journalism in Canada (Oxford University Press).
 | Support J-Source | ||
 | Best online-only article or series | ||
J-Source and ProjetJ are projects of The Canadian Journalism Foundation in collaboration with leading schools and organizations Editor-in-chief, J-Source: | |||
Recent Posts
2013-06-18 18:08
2013-06-17 18:13
Official list of Globe and Mail staff who took the buyouts
Why is this nice easy list of names with subheds not published as plain HTML (H2, OL, LI) with...
Do ethnocultural newspapers have a future in Canada?
Ethnic newspapers continue to provide a valuable role in transmitting information on Canadian...
OPINION: Video, shmideo: reporting is about telling what you see and hear
"It was as disreputable a piece of character assassination as I've ever seen in a...