IRE’s Haddix: Investigative journalism will make a difference
Alumnus Doug Haddix, the new executive director of Investigative Reporters and Editors, returned to IU last week to speak with students at the school.
“We are in the upside-down right now,” Haddix told students during a talk at the Hutton Honors College Feb. 2. “It’s dark, a little gooey, we’re not really sure what’s going on. We know there’s a monster someplace. The monster makes us question what’s real with fake news. Each way, we are going deeper into the upside-down with Trump.”
So, what does Haddix, MA’90, think journalists should do? One, they need to “double down” on real news. Two, they need to “resist and fight” efforts to suppress the first amendment and the freedom of the press.
“We need to cover what the administration does more than what it says,” said Haddix.
“That is why investigative journalism will make a difference.”
Haddix was investigative team editor at the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch before joining IRE as a national training director. He then became director of the Kiplinger Program in Public Affairs Journalism at Ohio State University, a position he held until taking the leadership at IRE in October.
Because the issue of “fake news” has suddenly come to life, the public is beginning to doubt even mainstream media, he said. In order to regain that trust, journalists need to unite and work to highlight good journalism. “If we get our own act together, it will help,” he said.
Haddix shared advice on how to be a good watchdog, even with the limited access the Trump administration has provided so far. He had a few suggestions for how the media should give attention to the unconventional way the president communicates with his constituency: with Twitter.
“We need find new ways to cover the tweets so that they don’t overshadow everything else,” Haddix said. “Tweets running an entire news cycle is dangerous.”
“I was very impressed with him,” said Charlene Brown, the director of extracurricular programming at Hutton Honors College, after the talk. “He offered very nuanced responses. It was a great opportunity for students from any field to be able to learn more about being a journalist today.”
In addition to speaking at Hutton Honors College, Haddix spoke to assistant professor Gerry Lanosga’s investigative reporting class earlier in the day. Lanosga, who had a 20-year career in print and broadcast news investigative reporting before turning to academia, arranged Haddix’ visit to campus.
“I’ve known Doug for a long time, we go way back,” Lanosga said. “When I saw he was named executive director of IRE, I figured he would be perfect to talk to my investigative reporting class.”
More: