When the Watergate aff air began in 1972, the fl edgling internet was still a closed club of university research
centres, and investigative reporting—telling the stories that powerful people do not want to be told—was
considered “just good old-fashioned journalism” by most people in the business. Watergate replaced that
myth with two others: that investigative reporting is about meeting deep throats in dark places rather than
mastering diverse and complex skills, such as analyzing data;2 and that the revelation of government secrets
spontaneously mobilizes an outraged public to demand reform.3 Most important, Watergate raised the
expectation, among both media professionals and the public, that watchdog reporting must be a core mission
of the news media.4
It isn’t—not everywhere, and not always. Brant Houston, a former director of Investigative Reporters and
Editors (IRE),5 used to say that the owners and managers of the news industry were trying to destroy it, but
were too incompetent to succeed. He meant that the news industry, instead of fi nding vital untold stories,
was doing its best to create worthless product. (What does the daily truth about Britney Spears really add to
one’s life?)
centres, and investigative reporting—telling the stories that powerful people do not want to be told—was
considered “just good old-fashioned journalism” by most people in the business. Watergate replaced that
myth with two others: that investigative reporting is about meeting deep throats in dark places rather than
mastering diverse and complex skills, such as analyzing data;2 and that the revelation of government secrets
spontaneously mobilizes an outraged public to demand reform.3 Most important, Watergate raised the
expectation, among both media professionals and the public, that watchdog reporting must be a core mission
of the news media.4
It isn’t—not everywhere, and not always. Brant Houston, a former director of Investigative Reporters and
Editors (IRE),5 used to say that the owners and managers of the news industry were trying to destroy it, but
were too incompetent to succeed. He meant that the news industry, instead of fi nding vital untold stories,
was doing its best to create worthless product. (What does the daily truth about Britney Spears really add to
one’s life?)