JotCast | Is investigative journalism too expensive for mass media? | 8/6/2019

Is investigative journalism too expensive for mass media?

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Ayshwarya

2:56

Hello and welcome to the second edition of Media Rumble, Jay Mazoomdar, Marisa Kwiatkowski and Sreenivasan Jain, in a session moderated by Zakka Jacob.

Zakka Jacob opens the session by asking Sreenivasan Jain: "How do you as a journalist/editor make investigative journalism relevant to media promoters?"

2:57

Sreenivasan Jain responds: "I think that one of the things that we all will agree on is the fact that in investigative work we need benovalent workers – we need investors who are ready to invest in this work"

He adds,"In the idea that you need to sell investigative journalism to promoters – half the work is already done when you have investors who are ready to do it"

2:58

He further stresses that investigative journalism needs benevolent employers.

"There is a need to invest in investigative journalism"

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2:59

Sreenivasan further adds that there's an element of leap of faith that organizations make in investigative journalism.

3:00

"The idea to go into ground reporting, and do something that mainstream news won't be covering – that itself became something that needs to be done."

3:01

He acknowledges his employer's contribution to his work till now.

3:02

"Is there any quantifiable data about investigative journalism that it leads to a bump up in readership or trps?" asks Zakka.

3:04

Marisa responds: "Indianapolis Star had special promotions which led to significant increase in sales"

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3:05

She adds, " Indianapolis Star had special promotions which led to significant increase in sales." However, "It can't be said that it covered the cost of investigative work."

Zacca asks." How do you convince your management that investigative journalism is worth their time/money/investment ?"

3:06

Jay Mazoomdar adds in, "More than public interest it should be done more for self interest."

3:07

Sreenivasan Jain adds,"I actually put this to my promoter and since Spotlight came out, they downsized their reporting and everytime they had a report, there was a huge surge in online subscriptions. So he suggested that it's a myth that long form doesn't earn that many subscriptions"

Zakka asks whether investigative journalism adds to rise in subscriptions?

3:08

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3:09

Sreenivasan Jain chips in,"NDTV thanks me everyday for the work I did. But you know how ratings go about in India. If you look at the wider question of buzz, you get that satisfaction that people are talking about your story. The other thing is the prestige factor that gets translated due to the work. I've heard from my sales team that whenever they pitch the story, we were not always the top channel to go to."

Jay Mazoomdar claims it's not about the money.

3:10

Zakka asks how to deal with upsetting potential advertisers in case of an important story.

3:11

Marisa Kwiatkowski says she's never been told to not publish a story because of this.

Zakka asks to Sreenivasan, "Do people have time/space for longform investigate journalism?"

3:12

For all you #Longform and investigative journalism fans: Pull up some sofa and see what happens when a #MeToo rebellion starts in a farm town school district and gets backing from @TIMESUPLDF @TIMESUPNOW gen.medium.com/inside-the-met… @Longreads @longform and @sundaylongread

3:14

Sreenivasan Jain advocates that it all comes down to a debate as to whether the most famous investigative journalism pieces lead to a commercial rise.

3:15

Zakka asks about the risks or dangers journalists run into when doping an investigative journalism story.

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"Investigative reporters are optimistic. We believe that if people just knew the truth, they'll make good decisions." -- @SteveEngelberg
Finding gems like this in my notes from a visit to the @propublica offices this week.

Jay Mazoomdar stresses that it's not their job to bother about. If they have a story, it's fine.

3:16

Zakka further asks,"Is there a glory factor related to investigative journalism?"

Jay Mazoomdar says," I would like to say at no cost, it's over blown. There are so many reporters inside and outside mainstream reporting, there are reporters waiting to provide stories."

3:17

Zakka asks,"You think the bigger devil in the room is that publisher/editor won't publish your story than the cost?"

3:19

Jay Mazoomdar replies,"There's a high cost and high risk. But it's not the money, but the societal scenario like affecting some communities or emotions which might bother you more."

3:20

Zakka asks," Is there something we can learn from the American market /practices?"

3:21

Marisa Kwiatkowski points out about having people in positions which are important.

3:23

Marisa Kwiatkowski also adds,"I serve the community, not the employer."

Thank you for being with us.

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