Procedures and strategies in checking the validity and accuracy of information sources used by selected investigative journalists / by Niña Lorraine R. Mojica and Jean Nicolle A. Pinpin.

Thesis (AB Journalism) Cavite State University

Includes bibliographical references.

College of Arts and Science (CAS)

MOJICA, LORRANE R. and PINPIN, JEAN NICOLLE A. Procedures and
Strategies in Checking the Validity and Accuracy of Information Sources used by Selected Investigative Journalists. Undegraduate Thesis. Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite. May 2017. Adviser: Ms. Lady Aileen Ambion-Orsal.
This study was conducted from January 2017 to April 2017 at the workplace of the participants to determine the procedures and strategies in checking the validity and accuracy of information sources used by selected investigative journalists.
Generally, this study aimed to identify the different strategies used by the participants in identifying sources for their investigative reports, determine the procedures they follow in checking the validity of their sources, and analyze the procedures they follow in checking the validity of their information.
Interview guide that contained letter request was used to gather the data of this study. Purposive sampling method was used wherein they interviewed the selected investigative journalists.
The researchers concluded that the participants used the strategies people trail, paper trail, internet, electronic media, print media and hearsays/humor in identifying the information sources that they used in their investigative reports.
The study also showed that people trail, paper trail and internet were the most used strategies when it comes to identifying the information sources. On the other hand, print media was the second most used strategy used by the participants in gathering sources of information. Moreover, electronic media and hearsays/rumors were the least used strategy by the participants in identiWing the sources of information.
The researchers were able to determine the procedures used in checking the validity of sources of information through the answers of the participants. According to them, in checking the validity of people trails, the people that must be interviewed were the ones who were related to the stories. Examples of these were the authorities, witnesses, barangay officials, and assets. In order for them to have their sources, they built relationship and rapport with the assets, authorities, and witnesses. They should know the background information of the related people or authorities. In checking the validity of paper trails, documents should be coming from the government agencies. These documents must be provided by them. In internet, they got stories from reliable websites. They considered the website's numerous likes and views, subscribers and visitors. Journalists must be extra careful when using internet as a source of information. Also, internet was used for minimal information. Thorough research must be done in using this kind of information source. In electronic media, they got information from radio and television. They watched news on television and wrote the information needed then proceeded with coordination. The information was reliable and credible from these sources [electronic media] because it has set of rules. In print media, they got information from broadsheets. Thorough research must be done in this kind of source. In hearsays/rumors, they got information through complainants. As investigative journalists, they must to take both sides to avoid being bias. They verified all the information. Also, they got the information from the people who were related to the story.

Hence, the procedures in checking the accuracy of information in people trail according to the participants, they can determine if the information was accurate if the person you have been talking to has credibility and if they have verified and checked the background information of the person. One of the respondents said that credibility, effort and background of the person were the most important factors when it comes to people trail. In paper trails, according to the participants, paper trails such as documents from government or agencies were accurate if it was signed, sealed and verified by them. In internet, according to the participants, websites that were credible and not satirical were the ones who were accurate. Choosing the legitimate information from the internet made an information source an accurate one. Checking and verifying the information from different websites are still part of the process in checking the accuracy of the information source from the internet. In electronic media, according to the participants, they needed to analyze which information from these [electronic media] was accurate, through verifying the facts, which has integrity and good moral character. Information from electronic media could be accurate because it has set of rules that they followed. In print media, according to the participants, researching all the information that they gathered from print media and verifying if all of the information was true, it could be identified as accurate information. Lastly in hearsays/rumors, according to the participants, getting information from hearsay/rumors could be accurate if all the allegations has been verified and checked. It could also be supported by paper trails.

Submitted copy to the University Library. 08/03/2017 T-6892