Investigative journalism: Challenges, perils, rewards in seven Pacific Island countries

  • Shailendra Singh
Keywords: Backfiring effect, Case studies, Investigative journalism, Regulations, Self-regulation, Whistleblowers

Abstract

This article appraises the general state of investigative journalism in seven Pacific Island countries—Cook Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu—and asserts that the trend is not encouraging. Journalism in general, and investigative journalism in particular, has struggled due to harsher legislation as in military-ruled Fiji; beatings and harassment of journalists as in Vanuatu; and false charges and lawsuits targeting journalists and the major newspaper company in the Cook Islands. Corruption, tied to all the major political upheavals in the region since independence, is also discussed. Threats to investigative journalism, like the ‘backfiring effect’ and ‘anti-whistleblower’ law are examined, along with some investigative journalism success case studies.

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PJR
Published
31-05-2012
How to Cite
Singh, S. (2012). Investigative journalism: Challenges, perils, rewards in seven Pacific Island countries. Pacific Journalism Review : Te Koakoa, 18(1), 83-104. https://doi.org/10.24135/pjr.v18i1.291