Reporting in Latin America: Issues and Perspectives on Investigative Journalism in the Region

Abstract

This study investigates challenges faced by investigative journalists in Latin America, one of the most dangerous places in the world for reporters. Guided by the hierarchy of influences model, we analyzed answers from 1,543 journalists, journalism educators, and journalism students in the region. We identified both single and multilevel constraints impeding investigative reporting in Latin America. Single-level influences are those that are better analyzed by focusing on one level of the hierarchical model. These included individual (lack of training), routine (relationships with sources), organizational (media ownership), and institutional influences (censorship). However, results also suggest there are certain types of influences that are better suited for analysis combining all levels. Despite two decades of media liberalization, crime and corruption, state violence against the press, and the lack of a free-speech culture cut across all layers, posing severe constraints to investigative reporting in Latin America.

Stronger and Safer Together: Motivations for and Challenges of (Trans)National Collaboration in Investigative Reporting in Latin America

“…Gonz alez de Bustamante and found that Mexican reporters have to deal with intimidation and unthinkable crimes committed against them by criminal groups or corrupt government officials. Similarly, Saldaña and Mourão (2018) found investigative journalism is scarce in Mexico precisely because of the violence and organized crime constantly threatening those interested in conducting investigative reporting. The latest reports on violence against the press indicate that half of the journalists killed in 2019 were from Mexico, making this country the second deadliest country for journalists, only after Syria (Beiser 2019).…”

“…The new millennium has also brought new challenges for investigative journalism in the region. Saldaña and Mourão (2018), in their study of the main challenges faced by Latin American investigative journalists, found that crime and corruption were the most common constraints identified by reporters. Crime and corruption were mentioned by reporters of 17 out of 18 countries in the sample.…”

“…At the individual level, reporters in Latin America have complained about an inadequate training in investigative reporting techniques (Saldaña and Mourão 2018) and the overreliance on "tips and documents passed by officials" with little actual independent investigations (Waisbord 2000, 103). The effect is an exclusive focus on political and institutional wrongdoing at the cost of neglecting investigations of corporate abuses or important social issues (Waisbord 2000).…”

Redes sociales y plataformas de fact-checking contra la desinformación sobre la COVID-19

“…La investigación incorpora entidades de España y América Latina. Los sistemas mediáticos de estas regiones se han caracterizado tradicionalmente por presentar problemas y retos compartidos, entre los que cabe destacar: la limitada autonomía periodística, las dificultades de acceso a datos públicos, la alta concentración de medios de comunicación, el alto nivel de polarización de la esfera pública y la influencia de la clase política sobre el periodismo (Baumgartner y Bonafont, 2015;Hallin y Papathanassopoulos, 2002;Masip, Ruiz y Suau, 2018;Reporteros Sin Fronteras, 2020;Saldaña y Mourão, 2018). La preocupación por el creciente avance de la desinformación también permea los contextos español y latinoamericano.…”

THE CIPER AND IDLREPORTEROS’ CONTENT STRATEGY: consequences of changing platform from Facebook to Twitter

“…Over the past 10 years, the number of non-profit investigative news organizations in Latin America has experienced important growth and enjoyed increasing success (Salaverría et al, 2019). This proliferation of non-profit investigative journalism institutions is due, in part, to a remarkable effort made by their respective governments and institutions to return to democracy over the past 20 years (Saldaña & Mourão, 2018); also, to greater availability of international funds to sustain research initiatives and finally, to intelligent management developed by their founders, most of them expert and experienced professionals, whose capability in the fight against corruption continues to guide them in the arduous task of making their way into the Latin American public space and consolidating their position within those democracies.…”