The Journalism of Outrage Investigative Reporting and Agenda Building in America

by Protess, David L.; Cook, Fay Lomax; Doppelt, Jack C.; Ettema, James S.; Gordon, Margaret T.; Leff, Donna R.; Miller, Peter

• ISBN13: 9780898623147
• ISBN10: 0898623146
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1991-05-17
• Publisher: The Guilford Press

Summary

This book is the first systematic study of investigative reporting in the post-Watergate era. The authors examine the historical roots, contemporary nature, and societal impact of this controversial form of reporting, which they call "the journalism of outrage." Contrary to the conventional wisdom that depicts muckrakers and policymakers as antagonists, the authors show how investigative journalists often collaborate with public policymakers to set the agenda for reform. Based on a decade-long program of research--highlighted by case studies of the life courses of six media investigations and interviews with a national sample of over 800 investigative journalists--they develop a new theory about the agenda-building role of media in American society.
 

Table of Contents

PART I MEDIA MUCKRAKING: MEANING, ORIGINS, AND IMPACT
The Quest for Reform	3	(26)
The Journalism of Outrage	4	(3)
The Investigative Narrative	7	(5)
Rallying Public Opinion? The Mobilization Model	12	(8)
The Policy Paradoxes of Investigative Reporting	20	(4)
Notes	24	(5)
The Investigative Tradition	29	(37)
Exposing ``Publick Wickedness''	30	(4)
The Golden Age of Muckraking	34	(8)
The Return to Quiescence	42	(5)
Rediscovering Scandal: The Resurgence of Investigative Reporting in Modern Times	47	(8)
Notes	55	(8)
PART II CASE STUDIES OF INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
Introduction	63	(3)
``The Home Health Hustle''	66	(28)
The Genesis of the Probe	69	(2)
The Investigative Process	71	(9)
Preparing the Investigative Report	80	(4)
The Investigative Influence	84	(9)
Notes	93	(1)
``Rape: Every Woman's Nightmare''	94	(24)
The Genesis of the Probe	96	(1)
The Investigative Process	97	(5)
Preparing the Investigative Report	102	(7)
The Investigative Influence	109	(7)
Notes	116	(2)
``Beating Justice''	118	(16)
The Genesis of the Probe	119	(4)
Preparing the Investigative Report	123	(3)
The Investigative Influence	126	(6)
Conclusion	132	(1)
Notes	133	(1)
``Wasted Time''	134	(23)
The Genesis of the Probe	135	(4)
The Investigative Process	139	(6)
Preparing the Investigative Report	145	(5)
The Investigative Influence	150	(6)
Notes	156	(1)
``Missing?''	157	(19)
The Genesis of the Probe	159	(1)
The Investigative Process	160	(2)
Preparing the Investigative Report	162	(3)
The Investigative Influence	165	(10)
Notes	175	(1)
``Dialysis: The Profit Machine''	176	(29)
The Genesis of the Probe	179	(3)
The Investigative Process	182	(4)
Preparing the Investigative Report	186	(5)
The Investigative Influence	191	(9)
Notes	200	(3)
PART III INTERSECTING INTERESTS: AGENDA BUILDING IN MEDIA AND POLICYMAKING ARENAS
Introduction	203	(2)
Building the Investigative Agenda	205	(26)
Initiation: Engaging Investigative Interest	205	(6)
Conceptualization: Seeing the Story	211	(3)
Investigation: Developing the Evidence	214	(9)
Presentation: Preparing the Product	223	(4)
Conclusion	227	(1)
Notes	228	(3)
Building Media and Policy Agendas	231	(50)
Building Media Agendas: Proprietary and Nonproprietary Follow-Up	232	(6)
Building Policy Agendas	238	(11)
Summing Up and Looking Ahead	249	(5)
Notes	254	(7)
APPENDIXES
Appendix I. Methodological Discussion	261	(10)
Basic Design	261	(1)
Assessment of Impact: Methodological Considerations	262	(5)
Reflections on Null Findings	267	(1)
Assessment of Impact on Elites	268	(1)
Summary	269	(1)
Notes	269	(2)
Appendix II. National Survey of Investigative Reporters and Editors	271	(10)
Fact Sheet Data	278	(1)
Note	279	(2)
References	281	(8)
INDEXES	289	(8)
Name Index	291	(6)
Subject Index	297