FEMALE JOURNALISTS AND INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING.

 

        

Rosabel, A female journalist in Libya writing on:                                                        A mercenary and an immigrant; a story of black Africans and Libya

FEMALE JOURNALISTS AND INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING.

Investigative Journalism is a form of reporting in which the journalists deeply probe cases or topics of interest.Weinberg has defined Investigative journalism as reporting through ones own initiative and work products the mater of importance to readers, viewers and listeners. According to De Burgh (2000),an investigative journalist is a man, or, woman whose profession it is to discover the truth and to identify the lapses from it in whatever media may be available. An investigative journalist may spend months or years, searching and preparing reports. No wonder Practitioners and theorists call it Watchdog journalism. During investigation, journalists make numerous interviews with Un-the record sources as well as anonymous sources. They analyse documents, they observe and do research for evidences. They make use of whistle blowers too. They uncover instead of covering cases.

Before now, women were restricted by custom and law from practicing journalism. The burden of child care and family maintenance also made women is prefers working in broadcast, and as editors and analyists in print. There was however a significant discrimination within the profession. Beginning from 19^th century women standard showing interest and agitating for the right to work at any level and any section on journalism in North America and Europe. 

Nellie Bly was the most noted of the turn-of-the-century investigative reporter. Robin Robert is one of the prominent among the African American investigative reporters. She investigated and reported on Women Lunatics Asylum and later wrote a book on it titled “Ten Days in the Mad House.” She was the African American ESPN, the First journalist to interview president Barack Obama after his inauguration.

Seymour Hersh of Booston university (2009) investigated on the constituted “Talks” There are some African female investigative journalists across Sahara Descent who hide their identities. They want to remain anonymous while they investigate on human traffic and prostitution. Rosebell Kagumire is an African immigrant investigative journalist who reports about war in Libyla and Somalia on her blog. One of her investigations is on “A story of black Africans and Libya” Most investigations in African countries are carried out or sponsored by women socialists and unionist. For instance, the international women Media foundation (IWMF) has offered ten (10) women journalist fellowship to produce investigative reports on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa.

According to PRLOG (press Release of January 27, 2011) “Women’s News” received about $3,000 fund as a grant to investigate the causes of maternal mortality among black women in New York City. There is also a forum of African Investigative Reporters (FAIR), a professional association of investigative journalists in African countries established in May 2003.

Conclusion:

Many more women are required in this field, because women can easily penetrate anywhere without suspicion. As Deboral Chambers puts it investigative journalism can contribute more to the development of the society if women can participate on equal terms with men.

Reference :

http:ll rosebellkagumire.com/

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