Class Research Journalism

This Curricular Unit aims to contribute to the dissemination, contextualization and simulation of the best journalistic practices. It is also intended to stimulate the development of critical thinking in the face of bad journalistic practices, and understanding the role of the journalist today, considering the ethical limits of the profession. Through the analysis of reference research in the field of Investigative Journalism, it is possible to motivate the knowledge of the legal, ethical and deontological framework that regulate journalistic practice. 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, on the assumption that all journalism is research.

1. introduction to investigative journalism

1. Concept of in-depth journalism

2. In-depth journalism vs. routine journalism

3. Dialogues and conflicts with scientific, police and judicial research.

2. Historical framework

1. investigative journalism in Portugal

3. The genres of research

1. The narrative genres: the reportage and the great reportage

2. The informative genres: the news and the dossier

3. The interview as a research tool

4. Research methods

1. The topic, the angle of approach and the use of hypothesis in journalism

2. The sources of information

3. The collection, filtering, verification and processing of information

5. Research, emerging media and their challenges 1.

1. citizen journalism, blogosphere and social media

2. The internet as a primary source - dangers and challenges

6. Investigative journalism and the powers that be

1. Journalism as power and as counter-power

2. Constraints on investigative journalism

3. The challenges of research and its limits

Throughout the semester, journalists from the field of investigative journalism are invited, in order to motivate the sharing of experiences and debate on investigative journalism. 

Students are also evaluated for their performance during the meeting with journalists, and are encouraged to do prior research on the professional who is invited to be in class.

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

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 investigacio¿n. Teoria y pra¿ctica , Madrid: Sintesis

Mascarenhas, O. (2016) O detective Historiador: E¿tica e Jornalismo de investigac¿a¿o , Lisboa, A¿ncora Editora

Mouriquanf, J.(1990) O jornalismo de investigac¿a¿o , Mem Martins: Editorial Inque¿rito Rodriguez, P. (1994) Periodismo de investigacio¿n: te¿cnicas y estrategias , Barcelona: Paido¿s

Comunicacio¿n

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