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Investigative methods for sale?

By Brigitte Alfter

BRUSSELS - 21 / 4 / 2009 - Two investigative reporters of the Wall Street Journal recently left to set up their own company - selling investigative methods to whoever pays. Their newspaper was changing identity, too fast, too snappy. Meanwhile established media moan about loss of readers. And everybody is talking about finding new ways. Hear the BBC debate about alternative ways of funding investigative journalism.

Newspapers do not invest much in investigative journalism - yet there still is a demand, was the argument by Glen Simpson, ex-Wall Street Journal investigative reporter, who recently left the WSJ and started his own company.

Investigative methods to whoever pays? An end to the journalist not serving any particular interest but the common good?

A recent debate on BBCs Media Show focused on how to fund investigative journalism. British freelance journalist Stephen Grey debated with Wendell Cochrane of American University in Washington about future options.