Interviews with editors in leading media organisations led to the unanimous conclusion that investigative reporting is first on their list of priorities. After a period, ten years ago, with a somewhat uncertain perspective on the future for journalism, a new sense of purpose is now visible. Democratic, professional, and commercial values converge with unique reporting on matters of importance to society and democracy to make readers willing to pay for digital news.
Editors in privately owned newsrooms estimate that about 10 per cent of their editorial resources are devoted to investigative reporting. “We pretty much try to give them the software and the time they ask for”, one top editor declared. Interviews with reporters do not contradict this picture. “This is a good time for investigative reporters”, a journalist explained.
The public service broadcaster SVT has a weekly flagship show for investigative journalism called Uppdrag Granskning [Mission Investigation] that alone counts for 7 per cent of the nationwide company’s budget. If the funds for spreading knowledge and practice of investigative methods within the company to specialised parts of the newsroom (sports, culture, economy, environment, etc.) and to some 20 regional newsrooms is included, the share of the budget rises to 20–25 per cent.
Regional privately-owned media house editors show the same enthusiasm and need for investigative reporting, but also admit they are not always able to fulfil their watchdog function in local municipalities due to limited personal and economic resources.
The journalists’ union applauded the resources allocated to investigative journalism but criticised the long period of time it took publishers, educated in finance more than journalism, to realise the commercial value of watchdog journalism.
