Watchdog Journalism ─ The Art of Investigative Reporting

Watchdog Journalism: The Art of Investigative Reporting takes readers into the world of Pulitzer Prize reporting. Drawing from intriguing interviews and archival research, author Stephen J. Berry reveals the drama of the job and the passion of its practitioners as he narrates the back stories of six investigative projects that earned the craft's most coveted honor.

Rather than focusing solely on huge assignments that are out of reach for everyday journalists, the book explores stories that could emerge on the beat in "Anywhere, USA." Each chapter provides a fascinating case study that covers interviewing, working sources, ferreting out records, and dealing with partners and editors. This case-study approach details the genesis, development, and outcome of these stories, offering students a chance to see how journalists view their roles as public watchdogs and as professionals competing in an increasingly profit-centered environment. The text also discusses how crucial it is for journalists to follow a model of performance and ethical reporting standards in order to advance the role of journalism in our society.

Providing a mix of suspense, fun, and serious discourse, Watchdog Journalism is ideal for undergraduate and graduate courses in investigative reporting. It is also a great resource for general readers, educators, and journalists curious about Pulitzer-quality reporting.

Stephen J. Berry is Associate Professor of journalism at the University of Iowa. He was a newspaper journalist for more than thirty-three years, having worked as a reporter for The Los Angeles Times and The Orlando Sentinel, where he and a colleague won the Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting in 1993. Berry has won numerous other awards for investigative and project reporting, including the Associated Press Newspaper Executive Council Award for public service; The Los Angeles Times' Top of the Times Award and its Editor and Publisher Prize; and the Society of Professional Journalists Award (Atlanta Chapter).