Class Reporting and Journalistic Investigation

This Curricular Unit (CU) focuses on the areas of reporting and investigative journalism, addressing them from a theoretical-practical perspective. Its objective is to equip students to develop in-depth reports, understanding journalistic narrative and the mechanisms of information gathering. Through a critical approach, the CU promotes ethical questioning and an understanding of the journalist's role in contemporary society, highlighting the relevance of the profession as both power and counterpower. The program content is structured to provide a historical, methodological, and legal understanding of journalism, with a special focus on investigative journalism, aligning these skills with the current needs and challenges of the job market. The CU also enables contact with prestigious professionals, promoting an integrated and applied education in the journalistic field.

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Investigative Journalism and Reporting 1.1. Daily journalism, investigative journalism, and reporting 1.2. Dialogues and conflicts with scientific, police, and judicial investigations Historical Context 2.1. The historical origins of reporting and investigative journalism 2.3. Investigative reports that made history Investigation Methods 3.1. The topic, the angle, and the use of hypotheses in investigative journalism 3.2. The interview as a research tool 3.3. Gathering, filtering, verifying, and processing information Ethical Limits 4.1. The Code of Ethics and the Journalist’s Statute 4.2. Ethical dilemmas Investigative Journalism and Power 5.1. The pursuit of objectivity through methods 5.3. Constraints on investigative journalism Journalism, Emerging Media, and the Future 6.1. Platforms, citizen journalism, social networks, and AI 6.2. Collaborative journalism

The course combines theoretical lectures with a strong practical component, reflecting a pedagogical model that values the integration of theory and practice. Students develop individual reporting projects based on topics they propose themselves. The various stages of research and development of these projects are closely supervised by the instructor, through individual tutorials and group discussions during practical classes. Reporting and investigative works are analysed and discussed, and this critical approach helps students understand and apply theoretical concepts to real-world contexts. Whenever possible, opportunities are provided for students to interact with distinguished professionals in the field of journalism. These interactions offer a practical and up-to-date perspective on the profession. Practice consolidates theoretical knowledge, making learning more organic and lasting, while preparing students for the challenges of the professional field.

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