Investigative Reporting in 2015: GIJN’s Top 12 Stories.
From the webpage:
As 2015 nears an end, we’d like to share our top 12 stories of the year — the stories that you, our dear readers, found most compelling. The list ranges from free data tools and crowdfunding to the secrets of the Wayback Machine. Please join us in taking a look at The Best of GIJN.org this year:
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If you are not a regular follower of the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN), perhaps these top 12 stories will change your reading habits in 2016.
As their name implies, the emphasis is on tools and techniques, not all of them digital, that are useful in uncovering, collecting, preparation and delivery of information some would prefer to keep secret.
In a phrase, investigative reporting.
Investigative reporting seems like a natural for the use of topic maps because concealed information is rarely accompanied by other data that gives it context and meaning.
Any number of major information leaks occurred in 2015, but how many of those were integrated with existing archives of information?
Or mapped in such a way that future researchers could put those leaks together with future releases of information?
The leaks themselves in 2015 have been titillating but hardly body blows to the intelligence community and its members.
As much as I admire investigative reporting, an “ooh, look at that…” reaction of the public is insufficient.
I want to see consequences, programs verified to be terminated, records destroyed, defunding, successful criminal prosecutions, contracts/political careers ended, blood on the street.
Anything less is another channel of the infotainment that passes for news in a media rich society.
Are you ready to take up the challenge of investigative reporting?
Investigative reporting that has consequences?
Consider adding topic maps to your arsenal of information weaponry for 2016.