Democracy’s Detectives: The Economics of Investigative Journalism

by Hamilton

Winner of the Goldsmith Book Prize, Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government
Winner of the Tankard Book Award, Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication
Winner of the Frank Luther Mott–Kappa Tau Alpha Journalism & Mass Communication Research Award


In democratic societies, investigative journalism holds government and private institutions accountable to the public. From firings and resignations to changes in budgets and laws, the impact of this reporting can be significant―but so too are the costs. As newspapers confront shrinking subscriptions and advertising revenue, who is footing the bill for journalists to carry out their essential work? Democracy’s Detectives puts investigative journalism under a magnifying glass to clarify the challenges and opportunities facing news organizations today.

“Hamilton’s book presents a thoughtful and detailed case for the indispensability of investigative journalism―and just at the time when we needed it. Now more than ever, reporters can play an essential role as society’s watchdogs, working to expose corruption, greed, and injustice of the years to come. For this reason, Democracy’s Detectives should be taken as both a call to arms and a bracing reminder, for readers and journalists alike, of the importance of the profession.”
―Anya Schiffrin, The Nation

“A highly original look at exactly what the subtitle promises…Has this topic ever been more important than this year?”
―Tyler Cowen, Marginal Revolution

Genres: Journalism, Nonfiction

384 pages, Paperback

First published October 21, 2016

Reviews

[Luci · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written and researched book on the importance of The Fourth Estate to our democracy.
Plenty of good examples on how investigative reporters brought new information to the voters, things that affect one's entire life, including your health and your pocketbook.
Highly recommended to all students of journalism, history and public affairs.

[NC Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was excellent both as an overview and with specifics on how reporters can make a difference in citizens' lives. I particularly appreciated the highlights of work by the great reporter Pat Stith in North Carolina. This book should be on the shelves of any journalism student who is truly interested in making a difference.

[James Aura · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview of the work that investigative reporters do, how they often do it, and a clear-eyed look at the results. I particularly liked the description of Pat Stith's work. Stith did outstanding reporting for the Raleigh News & Observer for decades and a number of needed laws were passed as a result of his digging. He also inspired serious investigative efforts by others in the print and broadcast news communities. With newspapers under heavy pressure from falling print circulation and lost advertising revenue, this book arrives at an important time. If you are in news, read it. If you are a consumer of news, unhappy with the product your local publications deliver, read this to see what level of service you are missing out on.

[Esther Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

No fake news here. An intelligent and focused look at how reporters can improve peoples' lives for the better. I was pleased to see a fantastic Raleigh investigative reporter, Pat Stith, featured.
If you care about an informed society and want to learn more about the field of investigative reporting, I would recommend this book highly.

[Harry Heitman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book on investigative reporting and how journalists add value to democracy in practical ways.
Especially liked the focus on specific reporters like Pat Stith, one of the greats.
If you are into journalism and news in depth, I would recommend this highly.

[Harold Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of great examples that explain why we need a free and aggressive press in a democracy. This book features some excellent reporters who provided benefits to citizens that most people never even knew about. If you are interested in journalism or democracy. Read this.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of insights into the shifting incentives, values, tools and cost of doing investigative reporting. I thought the economic approach used by the writer in terms of evaluating the benefit of investigative reporting to society was very interesting.

[Neal Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done. Anyone interested in investigative journalism or serious reporting should
read this book.

[Coffee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off really slow, but it got more interesting as it went on.

[Dylan Groves · Rating 4 out of 5]

really impressive, although a little bit dated.

[Alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

had to read for class. interesting but dense af

[owlette · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very intrigued by the premise of the book, but unfortunately, the book's content doesn't merit anything longer than an article. It's mostly descriptive statistics on how much of what kind of articles were published.

[Inga Springe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es gaidīju ko citu - par žurnālistiku, kā biznesa modeli, bet bija tāds kaut kāds apskats par pētniecisko žurnālistiku. Nav skaidra auditorija šai grāmatai.