The Center for Investigative Reporting is dedicated to journalism revealing injustice. They have been supporting this cause since 1977.
CIR is a non-profit organization claiming to “reveal injustice and strengthen democracy.” They work with their own on staff reporters as well as freelance journalists to cover promising stories that would otherwise not have a chance of being covered in-depth. They also produce major multimedia investigative projects.
On their website you can view reports from previous investigations. They are easily navigated by topic, outlet, reporter, date or media. You can also link to CIR’s blog, Muckraking, from the homepage. There you will find more investigative reports and multimedia as well as links to other blogs and websites of interest.
The website also contained bios about their staff reporters and links to their blogs. Also of interest is a couple of investigative reporters tools including a “Citizen’s guide to investigation,” “Gun Reporting,” and “Looking up on your judge.”
On the website you will be able to sign up for email alerts about their recent investigations and ways to find them on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and iTunes.
For a student journalist, especially those interested in investigative reporting, there are plenty of reports to study for ideas and technique though not so much of extremely practical value. For the experienced journalist, CIR might provide job opportunities especially as a freelance reporter. You can also make a contribution by notifying CIR about stories they might be interested in investing in. Personally I would really like to see the Reporter’s Tools section expanded, but I will definitely be looking out for their recent investigations to help me better understand the world of investigative journalism .
