‘Twelve Step Program’ for Becoming an Investigative Reporter

Across the arc of my 30-plus years as a journalist — most of that spent as an investigative reporter — I’ve learned (often the hard way) a few things about what it takes to thrive in such an endeavor.

Here then is a “12 Step Program” of sorts, ripped from real life, that can help you along the way to becoming an investigative reporter if this happens to be your chosen career path.

1. Report Hard, Write it Hard

Any good investigative story begins with hard-nosed reporting. Digging out fact from fiction, dogging a “paper trail” (more often than not in this era that would be an electronic trail…), chasing down corroborating interviews and finally, nailing down that inevitable confrontation with the target of your investigation. It’s hard, sometimes mind-numbing work. But once you’ve collected all that information you need to write it hard as well. Pull no punches; strike weasel words such as “could” “might” “maybe” “perhaps” and others of their ilk from your copy. Go for the throat and don’t look back.

That said, take care to not overwrite the piece. Investigative stories often write themselves, so let them. Trust your reporting to be your guide. Tell the story straight up, no need for sensationalism or hyperbole. Sure, you can weave a good tale —…