Anger and the investigative journalist

Abstract

What is the place of anger in the work of journalism? Based on a discourse analysis of investigative journalists’ reflections on the role of anger in their work, this paper explores common understandings of the utility and ‘proper place’ of anger in journalism. I argue that anger can be usefully theorised by drawing on P.F. Strawson’s account of anger as a reactive attitude and Amia Srinivsasan’s account of anger having dimensions of aptness and prudence. In contrast to existing work arguing for a norm proscribing emotion in journalistic texts, anger forms a valued component in the work of investigative journalists, albeit one with important norms around its control and management.