Business Journalists as Investigators

Raquel Rutledge

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Reynolds Business Journalism Week

Jan. 2, 2014

Where to look?

•  Tips from sources, beats, obscure pubs

Where to look?

•  Tips from sources, beats, obscure pubs •  Make it easy for readers and

whistleblowers to send in leads

Where to look?

•  Tips from sources, beats, obscure pubs •  Make it easy for readers and

whistleblowers to send in leads •  Play off breaking news events

When to bite

•  Assess scope of problem - How many might be affected?

When to bite

•  Assess scope of problem - How many might be affected? •  Is there a local angle? Broader potential?

When to bite

•  Assess scope of problem - How many might be affected? •  Is there a local angle? Broader potential? •  What data are available?

When to bite

•  Assess scope of problem - How many might be affected? •  Is there a local angle? Broader potential? •  What data are available? •  Outrage factor. Do any of the facts make

your jaw drop? Is it surprising?

When to bite

•  Assess scope of problem - How many might be affected? •  Is there a local angle? Broader potential? •  What data are available? •  Outrage factor. Do any of the facts make

your jaw drop? Is it surprising? •  Can you prove it with documents and

people on the record?

“Shattered Trust”

2011 Barlett & Steele Awards video

“Shattered Trust”

•  Started with small story about lawsuit involving a company near Milwaukee

“Shattered Trust”

•  Started with small story about lawsuit involving a company near Milwaukee

•  Had many insiders telling of filthy conditions. Caution: employees sometimes carry baggage

“Shattered Trust”

•  Started with small story about lawsuit involving a company near Milwaukee

•  Had many insiders telling of filthy conditions. Caution: employees sometimes carry baggage

•  Accountability angle with FDA. Got decade worth of inspection data. Used names

“Shattered Trust”

•  Started with small story about lawsuit involving a company near Milwaukee

•  Had many insiders telling of filthy conditions. Caution: employees sometimes carry baggage.

•  Accountability angle with FDA. Got decade's worth of inspection data. Used names

•  Married investigative with narrative

Cashing in on Kids: The story behind the story