The Effectiveness Of Investigative Journalism And Scandal Reporting A Case Study Of Radio One Stereo In Dares’ Salaam Tanzania

ABSTRACT

This research aimed at investigating the Effectiveness of investigative Journalism and scandal

reporting in Tanzania. The study was guided by three specific objectives; to explore the state of

investigative journalism in Tanzania, to unearth challenges faced by radio one stereo in investigative journalism, and to explore the benefits of investigative journalism to the media in Tanzania.

The study was guided by the watchdog theory of the press by Lichtenberg, (1990). The theory asserts that the press should criticize and evaluate the government and other institutions to ensure they don’t become corrupt or overstep their power. The basic idea is that media needs to oversee the performance of government and private officials and uncover all hidden matters which may affect the public negatively. The study used interview and questionnaire for data collection. Generally the study reveals that the reason behind the factors that hinder investigative journalism in Tanzania is the corrupt practices among journalists. Journalists use investigative stories to blackmail suspects to make money. Other reasons include the fear of journalists to risk their lives as they regard investigative journalism as the death line carrier, editors do not provide assignments to investigative journalism and media owners are merely profit seeking companies rather than public servants.