- Updated content. A new Preface to the paperback edition touches
on the contemporary issues facing the media industry.
- Canadian focus. Numerous examples and case studies of Canadian
journalism drawn from throughout history. Discusses trends in American and international
journalism as they relate to journalism in Canada.
- Current perspective. Provides fresh insights into events of the
past decade, such as the sponsorship scandal and "Airbus Affair."
- Engaging, readable tone. Rosner's experience and talent as a
journalist makes the history covered in this text both exciting and extremely readable.
- Extensive research. The text draws from a rich variety of
primary and secondary sources to analyze investigative journalism's evolution, explaining
the development of the specific set of practices that make up the genre in the context of
changing social and historical forces.
- Comprehensive, topic-based coverage. Rather than working through
a straightforward chronology, the text uses a topic-based examination of history,
exploring wide-ranging and thought-provoking issues such as public broadcasting,
commercialization of the press, alternative media, ethics, and the impact of technology.
- Excellent historical coverage. Covers trends and major events in
Canadian investigative journalism from mid-nineteenth century to present.
Canadian investigative journalism has brought down governments, held powerful
interests to account, infiltrated criminal networks, and exonerated the wrongly accused.
Behind the Headlines presents the exciting history of investigative
journalism in Canada in an account spanning from the nation's earliest newspapers through
to the present day.
Drawing on numerous case studies and examples, Cecil Rosner, a journalist with more
than 35 years of experience, analyzes the evolution of investigative journalism in Canada
and explores the development of specific practices within the context of changing social
and historical forces. Rather than working through a straightforward chronology, Rosner
uses a topic-based approach exploring wide-ranging and thought-provoking issues such as
public broadcasting, commercialization of the press, alternative media, ethics, and the
impact of technology. Highlighting key players and stories such as the sponsorship scandal
and the Mulroney "Airbus Affair," Behind the Headlines provides fresh insight
into this previously undocumented history.
A new Preface to the paperback edition brings the book up to date, offering a current
perspective on the shift from old to new media and ongoing efforts for media outlets to
find financially sustainable revenue models. After the collapse of the Canwest empire and
the rise of ProPulica and WikiLeaks, the turbulent media landscape is taking on a new
form. What implications does this have for investigative journalism, not just in Canada,
but around the world?
Readership: Engaging and readable, Behind the Headlines will appeal to anyone intrigued
by the field of journalism and, more specifically, the power of investigative journalism.
Students of any level and practicing journalists will take interest in the author's
attention to investigative methodology.
Table of Contents
Preface to the 2011 Edition
Preface to the 2008 Edition
Acknowledgements
1: Bringing Down the Government
2: Pioneers
3: To the Modern Era
4: Bigger and Better Scoops
5: The Public Broadcasters
6: Out of the Mainstream
7: In Watergate's Wake
8: Robbers and Cops
9: Newsmagazine Wars
10: Dirty Tricks
11: Investigative Journalism Matures
12: Undercover, Hidden-Camera, and Gotcha Journalism
13: The Chilling Effect
14: Attacking the Messenger
15: Access to Information
16: Bringing Down a Former Government
17: Modern Tools
18: The Road Ahead
Notes
Bibliography
Index
280 pages, Paperback
