I'm thinking about a sequel to Sawbones, in which my detective may have to consider a career change.

How would you define the difference between a journalist and an investigative journalist? Is there really a difference, or is it just that the word investigative makes the job sound more sexy?

Cheers

Dee

To my mind, an investigative journalist is someone who goes beyond the obvious, takes the time to explore and investigate issues, someone with a real nose for a story, who won't stop until either, (s)he finds it, or (s)he finds out there's no story there. Whereas a journalists records what's there, will maybe stick his or her neck out once in a while, but isn't hungry in the way an investigative journalist is.

Zoe

Thanks, Zoë, that’s exactly what I was hoping someone would say!

Dee

Glad to be of service!

Zoe

Yes investigative journalists often go undercover and do in-depth pieces about things, and can take months to finish a story. Investigative journalism is tough but very rewarding I suspect.

Thanks Char,

It sounds like an ideal career move for my character in Sawbones – the Sequel… that’s if I ever get the first one finished!

Dee

Investigative journalism is notoriously hard to break into. It's also dangerous. A good example of an investigative journalist would be Donal Macintyre - he's excellent.

Thanks for that, Gillian. I'll check him out.

Dee

The Veronica Guerin story might be interesting for this too.

Another good example of investigative journalism would be last night's BBC's Whistleblower re the undercover in Tesco and Sainsbury.

Oh yes! I watched that – thank god I'm vegetarian.

But, yes, it was an excellent example of undercover journalism. Gives a whole new slant, don't it...

Dee

I haven't eaten meat since I was 16 - I really felt like barfing though!!