Beginning with America’s first newspaper, investigative reporting has provided journalism with its most significant achievements and challenging controversies. In The Evolution of American Investigative Journalism, James L. Aucoin provides listeners with the first comprehensive history of investigative journalism.

Aucoin begins by discussing in detail the tradition of investigative journalism from the colonial era through the golden age of muckraking in the 1900s and into the 1960s. Subsequent chapters examine the genre’s critical period from 1960 to 1975 and the founding of IRE by a group of journalists in the 1970s to promote investigative journalism and training methods. Through the organization’s efforts, investigative journalism has evolved into a distinct practice with defined standards and values.

Included is a thorough account of IRE’s role in the controversial Arizona Project. The Arizona Project brought national attention and stature to the fledgling IRE and was integral to its continuing survival.

Emerging investigative reporters and editors as well as students and scholars of journalism history will benefit from the detailed presentation and insightful discussion provided in this audiobook.

"Well researched, soundly grounded in theory, well organized, and compellingly written.” (Fred Blevens, coauthor of The Twilight of Press Freedom)

“This much needed text fills a historical hole of significant proportion.” (Lloyd Chiasson, author and editor of Three Centuries of American Media)