The Web, the future of Investigative journalism?

Investigative journalism is seemingly dying a quiet death. It’s been a long time since it was at the forefront of what we would consider journalism. Rather then being the pinnacle of the profession, it has taken a back sit to fluff. Perhaps the death of the printed newspaper will be the fuel it needs to once again return to the centre stage.

Or so this link hints at. It talks about how the Huffington Post plans to revitalise the in-depth journalistic investigations by taking them online. It’s certainly an interesting concept; chief among the advantages that the online medium offers is that a paper can stay with a story as long as they wish. The story isn’t competing for space, distribution is instantaneous and worldwide, and it can be continually updated.

The Huffington Post plans to fund the scheme through a non-profit system, whereby readers can
contribution, make micro payments online. Considering just how little newspaper currently invest into investigative journalism, it’s not hard to imagine the public being match, if not surpass, these figures.