Gatekeeping and Muckraking

There are many forms of gatekeepers in news. Depending on the story, a gatekeeper can be the reporter with the story, the news station itself, or even some larger governmental body. Gate keeping happens for a majority or reasons, varying from the bias of the station or reporter, to the government not allowing certain information to be released.

Investigative reporting, sometimes known as muckraking, is a way to search for important information about people and things that would not be commonly known or displayed to an audience. Investigative reporting is effective in displaying as much useful, unknown information to an audience as possible. Through this form of reporting the purest information is shown to the audience, allowing them to form their own biases based on the untouched information. Interpreting information that was previously unknown attracts a larger audience than “cookie cutter” news.

Through investigative reporting the audience has the ability to become their own gatekeepers. Investigative reporting, though not as popular as in previous years, is a very effective way of reporting information to an audience. Information that is not common knowledge is given directly to the audience, giving a more fulfilling experience through the news, allowing for the audience to form their own opinions more effectively.

-Michael Bouchie