Research Journalism

Presentation

This subject intends to promote best journalistic practices; development of a critical spirit in the face of bad practices and ethical abuses; understanding the role of the journalist at the crossroads of today's journalism; analysis of reference investigations in the field of Investigative Journalism; knowledge of the legal, ethical and deontological framework that regulate the journalistic practice. The concept of Investigative Journalism is approached in a broad sense: as a movement within the so-called "in-depth journalism", with its own history, object, and methodologies and as a set of practices and techniques of research, selection, and treatment of information, under the assumption that all journalism is research. The practical application of this double meaning allows the journalistic practice and encourages reflection about journalistic working methods.

Part of this Programme

Communication and Journalism

Level of Qualification|Semesters|ECTS

| Semestral | 5

Year | Type of course unit | Language

3 |Mandatory |Português

Code

ULHT449-10114

Recommended complementary curricular units

Journalistic writing

Prerequisites and co-requisites

n/a

Professional Internship

Não

Syllabus

1. Introduction to Investigative Journalism
1.1. Routine journalism and in-depth journalism
1.2. Dialogues and conflicts with scientific, police and judicial research.
2. Historical background
2.1. Investigative journalism in Portugal
2.2. Civic journalism and citizen journalism
3. Research Genres
3.1. Narrative genres: the story and the big story
3.2. Informative genres: the news and the dossier
3.3. The interview as a research tool
4. Research methods
4.1. The theme, the approach angle and the use of the hypothesis in journalism
4.2. Information sources
4.3. The collection, filtering, verification and processing of information

5. Research, emerging media and its challenges
5.1. The internet as a primary source
5.2. Citizen journalism, the blogosphere, and social networks

6. Investigative journalism and the power
6.1. Journalism as power and as counterpower
6.2. Constraints to investigative journalism
6.3. Research challenges
6.5 Ethical limits: The Code of Ethics.

Objectives

- Mastery of the theoretical-practical and historical-narrative bases of this discipline of journalism;
- Knowledge of the obstacles faced by those who do investigative journalism;
- Assimilation of legal resources and ethical and deontological obligations that govern the profession;
- Planning and organizing a reporting / investigation project;
- Maturation of the critical sense and identify the best journalistic practices;
- Ability to find solutions, collectively and individually, in the face of obstacles and problems posed to those who do journalistic research.

Teaching methodologies and assessment

Theoretical classes, of presentation and discussion of research texts, are complemented with a strong practical aspect. Students develop individual investigative reporting works based on a theme proposed by them. The various stages of the research are monitored by the teacher and presented and discussed in practical classes with the participation of the class. In parallel, research papers published on various platforms are also analyzed and discussed and examples of the best and worst journalistic practices are observed. 
Evaluation
Individual journalistic investigation work (total 100%), divided into four stages:

1. Presentation (written and oral) of the research project and the research agenda
search; 10%

2. Research results (written document) 10%

3. Presentation (written and oral) of the research results and the structure of the text (s) to be written (30%);
4. Final work (50%)
 

The four works are mandatory.

References

Boucher, J.D. (s/d), A Reportagem Escrita, Mem Martins: Editorial Inquérito

Coelho, P., Reis, A. I., & Bonixe, L. (Eds.). (2021). Manual de Reportagem. Labcom.

Godinho, Jacinto (2009) As Origens da Reportagem-Imprensa, Lisboa: Livros Horizonte

Hunter, M, Story Base Inquiry, A Manual for investigative journalists, Unesco

Marcet, J.C. (1997) Periodismo de investigación. Teoria y práctica, Madrid: Sintesis

Mascarenhas, O. (2016) O detective Historiador: Ética e Jornalismo de investigação, Lisboa, Âncora Editora

Mesquita, M. (2003) O Quarto Equívoco. O Poder dos Media na Sociedade Contemporânea, Coimbra: Minerva

Mouriquanf, J.(1990) O jornalismo de investigação, Mem Martins: Editorial Inquérito

Rodriguez, P. (1994) Periodismo de investigación: técnicas y estrategias, Barcelona: Paidós Comunicación

Schudson, M. (1978) Discovering the News. A Social History of American Newspapers, Nova Iorque: Basic Books

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