A watchdog’s guide to investigative reporting A simple introduction to principles and practice in investigative reporting Derek Forbes KONRAD ADENAUER STIFTUNG Ê JOHANNESBURG Ê 2005 A Watchdog’s Guide to Investigative Reporting ISBN: 09584936-6-9 Published by: Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Media Programme 60 Hume Road, Dunkeld, 2195 Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa PO Box 1383 Houghton, 2041 Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa Telephone: +27 11 2142900 Telefax: + 27 11 2142913/4 e-mail:
[email protected] http://www.kasmedia.org Editors: Gaby Neujahr and Jude Mathurine Copy editing: Tyrus Text and Design Additional research: Jude Mathurine While copyright in this publication as a whole is vested in the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Media Programme, copyright in the text rests with the author. Nothing herein may be reproduced in whole or part without the express permission, of the author and publisher. The Konrad Adenauer Stiftung does not necessarily subscribe to the opinions of author. DISCLAIMER The information in this book was assembled and checked as far as possible. The author/publisher cannot be responsible for any loss that may occur due to inaccuracy or omission. All rights reserved. KAS, 2005 © KAS Media Programme iv Foreword from the author v Foreword from the publisher vi 1. Defining investigative journalism 1 2. The right stuff 8 3. What’s the big idea? 11 4. A simple plan 15 The Case of Tony Yengeni Sunday Times Investigation Unit 20 5. Sourcing the story 27 Making a Killing: Casinos, oil, the mafia and Anton Lubowski Evelyn Groenink 40 6. Barriers to investigative reporting 47 7.