The Relentless Pursuit of Truth: Inside the Essential Job of a News Reporter

A distinction exists between beat reporting and investigative journalism, though many reporters do both. Beat reporters cover predictable institutions (e.g., City Hall, the police department) and focus on day-to-day developments. Investigative reporters, however, delve into long-term, self-initiated projects, often spending months or years exposing hidden wrongdoing. While beat reporting demands speed and breadth, investigative reporting requires patience, meticulous documentation, and the strategic deployment of public records requests and deep source cultivation.