‘By using a model like this one, we can more effectively use our staff to do investigative journalism that holds government institutions accountable.’

In restructuring The Post and Courier’s newsroom, the top editor strengthened the focus on investigative journalism in the newspaper and on the Web.

A newspaper editor describes six newsroom strategies that ensure that watchdog reporting thrives—even at news organizations where resources are limited.

Reporters’ experiences ‘remind journalists why they are in their business and inform the rest of the world how the mission of the press fits into society.’

‘The situation is insane.… My friends—both journalists—were killed in Ossetia. Just confirmed that..am devastated..’

With The Blade’s I-team no longer functioning, the paper’s only investigative reporter now partners with beat reporters to do watchdog stories.

‘For projects, the newspaper now typically links a lead investigative reporter with beat reporters.’

An investigative reporter creates a database of earmarks revealing the relationship between wasteful spending and political favors.

‘… investigative reporting can be just as effective at revealing why something did happen as it can be in documenting how something could happen.’

To do this investigative story, ‘we needed the total investment of our editors, our newspaper’s publisher and, in turn, Hearst Corporation executives.’