Ondersoekende joernalistiek in Vrye Weekblad: 'n agent vir sosiale verandering?

SUMMARY

Instances of investigative journalism in newspapers stimulate public awareness of injustices and illegalities in society. In some cases such journalism can be conducive (or act as a catalyst) to government and other actions that eventually lead to social change. Investigative journalism, which is aimed at changing the status quo, however, is dependent on a conducive political and social climate. Such a climate offers a fertile context for the institutionalisation and legitimation of new social and power relations.

This article addresses the complex relationship between investigative journalism and social change. A model is devised for qualitative content analysis and applied to an example of investigative journalism in Vrye Weekblad (VWB). The relationship between investigative practice and social change is outlined by using the demonstrable consequences of investigative reports in VWB.