José Vicente García -Santamaría (2010): "The crisis of investigative ... Pages 516 to 537 Research - How to cite this article – referees' reports – scheduling – metadata – PDF – Creative Commons DOI: 10.4185/RLCS-65-2010-916-516-537-EN – ISSN 1138 - 5820 – RLCS # 65 – 2010 The crisis of investigative Journalism in Spain. The journalism practice in the Spanair accident José Vicente García-Santamaría, Ph.D. [ C.V. ] Assistant Professor at the Department of Journalism and Audiovisual Communication, Carlos III University
[email protected] Abstract: The crash of the McDonnell Douglas plane operated by the Spanish airline Spanair, on 20 August 2008 at Barajas Airport, and the journalistic treatment it received undoubtedly represent a unique opportunity to address the current state of journalism in Spain. In particular, this article studies the use of information sources in a crisis situation, which requires a major effort to find the maximum number of primary and specialised sources to provide, in a short period of time, the audience with the key facts to understand the event. This accident also represents an excellent opportunity to study some practices within investigative journalism and the different factors that condition the media agenda. Finally, as in any other air tragedy, where millionaire compensations can be paid to the victims, it is important to examine the application of a series of ethical frameworks, which have been captured in deontological codes designed to assure fair journalistic practices. Keywords: Journalistic sources; investigative journalism; crisis communication, Journalism ethics. Summary : 1. Introduction. 2. The catastrophe as an extraordinary news event. 3. Methodology. 4. Investigative journalism in the Spanair plane crash.