Do you hear that sound? Listen carefully. It’s being heard in newsrooms from Los Angeles to Orlando and from New York to Cleveland. It began as a low, almost inaudible murmur in the late 1990s and has grown ever louder with each passing day. It’s the sound of the last gasping breath of those unable to adapt to a changing world. It’s the sound of irrelevance. Today, newspapers are struggling to keep up with the evolving ... Read More

As a final to caveat to this miniseries on the evolution of investigative journalism and the newfound power of bloggers and others that are carrying on a proud legacy, I’d like to highlight what happened to United Airlines last Monday when an erroneous report of the company’s bankruptcy hit the Wall Street rumor mill. On the morning of September 8, a reporter performing a routine Google search at a Florida investor information service found a bombshell ... Read More

This week, The New York Times editorial board called on Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) to give up a Committee Chairmanship, while allegations of unpaid taxes are investigated by the House ethics committee. Adding to the embarrassment, the panel Rangel oversees is the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, which writes the nation’s tax laws. Clearly, Rangel is now faced with some taxing problems. Initially, the Congressman’s response to the crisis was as unusual as it was brilliant. ... Read More

Last week, we took a look at how bloggers are emerging as a new breed of investigative journalists in an era of massive cutbacks at traditional media outlets across the country. Today, I’d like to delve into another way that everyday citizens are picking up the slack. It’s called “crowdfunding” – and it offers all of us an opportunity to shine the media spotlight on the stories we want told. A few weeks back, Sarah Kershaw ... Read More

In an article published in Broadcasting & Cable Magazine earlier this summer, columnist Marisa Guthrie offered intriguing insight into the future of investigative journalism. She wrote, “Investigations of the rich and powerful, the multinational corporations and monopoly industries have all but dried up, say a coterie of journalists still trying to ply their trade… While investigations are far from extinct, few can make the case that the scope and number of reports on network news are ... Read More

Recently, CNN reported that Air Canada's regional carrier Jazz has decided to remove life vests from all of its airplanes in an effort to reduce weight and thus save fuel. At a time when just about every airline is already being criticized for charging customers more for less – on everything from blankets to luggage to drinks – was it smart for Jazz to put its reputation at risk? We’re all looking for ways to save ... Read More