Information skills and literacy in investigative journalism in the social media era

Abstract

The study aims to determine the preferred information skills and evaluate information literacy and skills in the social media era on the example of investigative journalism to surmount the majority of challenges it faces. The challenge-based survey conducted among 281 reporting journalists from various countries revealed that their information skills and literacy are average. The survey results show that half of the respondents (52%) recognise the importance of these characteristics, while 38% are sure that information literacy and skills are not necessary and 10% chose the variant ‘I am not sure’. As the indicators show, the main aim for investigative journalists’ writing is to influence the society’s mind about some facts presented in the reports (40%). Only 25% of respondents write with the purpose to present reliable information that indicates the level of their information literacy. The latest strategies in the professional development of investigative journalists in modern social media era allow overcoming the major challenges, including those related to the influence and interests of third parties. The practical significance and prospects of further research are explained by the possibility of using the obtained statistical data to increase the level of information literacy and skills not only of investigative journalists, but also other specialists who work with information.