On The Project Management of Investigative Journalism

[danieldwilliam]

I am genuinely curious about what is actually driving the timing of the news reports about Russell Brand.

I very definitely do not mean, what Establishment Secrets or Deep Truth was Brand about to reveal that meant that he needed to be silenced.

I mean, what’s been the project plan for the investigative journalism, the investigation and research, interviews, verification, editorial and legal review. How does that all work. Why has the story broken this weekend and not a weekend last spring or next spring?

Comments

[danieldwilliam]

The counter-balance to some lawyerly caution is likely to be some journalistic courage and solidarity.

[mountainkiss]

Yes and you must have to make some very good choices in the people you hire to be a press lawyer. They can’t just operate from the mindset of “the safest aeroplane is the one that never leaves the ground”.

[danieldwilliam]

And also I think accept that the cost of getting it wrong occassionally is part of the cost of doing business.