Page 37 - Veritas - 02.03.22

investigative journalist uses different means like sting operations, wit-

ness testimonies etc. to expose it to the public.

Forensic Journalism on the other hand uses scientific understanding

to explain a crime in a fashion that the general public understands, or

sometimes even the judiciary to form an opinion. Forensic Journalism

is always an essential part of Investigative Journalism.

Some myths regarding Forensic Journalism busted-

Forensic Journalism focuses only on ‘bad news’.

While Forensic Journalism often helps in exposing bad news, it need

not always be the case. It sometimes exposes positive news like re-

moving a stereotype, portraying the positive effects of an approved

medicine etc.

Forensic journalists give anonymous reports.

A genuine Forensic Journalism report would always be identified with

the author and would only be a tool to explain facts on the basis of

science, rather than being a personal document which highlights the

author.

Forensic Journalism is an unregulated system and can be unethical

at times.

While in some countries the statement may be true, in many nations

the field is regulated and bound by an ethical code of conduct where

the responsibility is fixed under legislation.

The field is driven by private media houses and therefore not a seri-

ous field.

Even though presently it is driven by the private media houses in many

countries, it is government owned in many countries where it has led

groundbreaking investigations. The field is also growing in many oth-

er countries where it is starting to be taken seriously.