Investigative impact : The Power of Local Reporting
What this project is really about
Imagine that your school has a newspaper and you have been appointed as the school’s new investigative reporter. One morning, three tips land on your desk. A student claims that academic stress has become one of the biggest challenges facing the school community. A teacher argues that students are actually underestimating the support systems available to them. Another student believes that some extracurricular clubs receive significantly more attention and resources than others. All three perspectives sound convincing. But who is right? As a journalist, your job is not to choose a side. Your job is to investigate. The best reporters understand that every issue has multiple perspectives. Rather than relying on assumptions or personal opinions, they gather evidence, conduct interviews, analyze information, and present a balanced account of what they discover. Their reporting helps communities better understand challenges that affect them every day. In this project, you will take on the role of an investigative reporter and explore a real issue within your school community. Through interviews with students, teachers, and staff, as well as direct observation and evidence gathering, you will uncover the deeper story behind an issue that matters. Your final product will be a professional investigative feature article that informs, questions, and encourages thoughtful discussion.
What you'll walk away knowing how to do
This project isn't about memorising facts. It's about building capabilities that transfer — to your next project, your next class, and beyond.
Learn from someone who does this for a living
You're not learning from a textbook. You're learning from a practitioner.
Asha Chand
University of Western Sydney, Australia
Asha Chand brings real-world expertise and professional depth to this project, guiding students through every phase with insight that goes beyond the classroom.
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