A major difference between investigative reporting and hard news is
A major difference between investigative reporting and hard news is the level of depth, complexity, and time required to produce the story.
Hard News:
- Typically focuses on immediate, breaking news events
- Involves gathering and disseminating information quickly to inform the public about current events
- Often relies on official sources, such as government agencies, police reports, and press releases
- May involve simple, straightforward reporting with minimal analysis or interpretation
- Typically has a shorter production cycle, with stories often being published or broadcast within hours or days of the event
Investigative Reporting:
- Involves in-depth research and analysis to uncover new information, expose wrongdoing, or shed light on complex issues
- Requires a significant amount of time, resources, and effort to gather and verify information
- Often involves digging deeper into a story, interviewing multiple sources, and analyzing documents and data
- May involve complex reporting, such as data journalism, FOIA requests, or undercover investigations
- Typically has a longer production cycle, with stories often being published or broadcast after weeks, months, or even years of investigation
In summary, hard news focuses on immediate, breaking news events, while investigative reporting involves in-depth, long-term research and analysis to uncover new information and shed light on complex issues.