If you feel a news story does not measure up to expected journalistic standards, bring it to the Journalism Dry Cleaner. Through our collective wisdom, we will strip it of all offensive dirt.

REAL TIME VISITORS

LIVE STATS

BLOG GUESTS

Monday 27 September 2010

DREAMS SHATTERED, NIGHTMARES USHERED: WHAT INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM IS ALL ABOUT

In very simple terms, 'Dreams and Nightmares' epitomizes what investigative journalism is all about. A critical subject matter, told in a gripping and engaging way.

Without ever betraying any sense of embellishment, the reporter Yassin Juma moves the story beautifully. There is a clear focus as the investigations narrow down to the men behind the human trafficking syndicate.



Unlike many investigative pieces that tend to be too descriptive, perhaps fueled by a false belief by a journalist that the unearthed material can tell the whole story on its own, this one probes for answers as the story unfolds.

Yassin deliberately seeks to make his story take on a life of its own, and only momentarily comes into view to establish himself on the scene. The story after all is not about him.

And the patience taken to fully develop all the emerging angles is admirable. The compelling evidence of human trafficking adduced thus becomes more powerful and a delight to watch as an investigative piece.

It would really be a pity if the concerned authorities ignore the issues raised by 'Dreams and Nightmares' and pretend they don't exist.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

so touching so emotional!!!!!!!!!!!!too real working hard to be an invastigative journalist myself!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Its more complete than what KTN did on illegal immigration because it is more contextualized. But the main plot is too alike and so is the storyline - illegal immigrants being smuggled to Kenya, loop in an insider to the trade, trail illegal immigrants etc.