By Stabroek News
Copyright stabroeknews
Dear Editor,
I read your editorial, ‘Deplorable conditions at Guyana National Stadium’ with a sense of disappointment at the independent media and the apparent lack of basic investigative journalism.
The editorial highlights the terrible condition of the stadium washroom, grounds, etc.
The writer stated that journalists were denied access to verify these reports. The journalists were reportedly told they needed to first write to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and an official would then accompany them during the visit.
Editor, don’t these journalists know about investigative journalism??
One of my favourite books on investigative journalism has a chapter headlined INSIDE AND UNDERCOVER.
And that’s what journalists ought to attempt to do to get around officials who are giving them the run-around.
Rather than approaching an official in one’s suit and tie and with press pass and video camera, buy a ticket to a stadium event. Go early, in your jeans, or short pants and t-shirt and sandals, and with cell phone for videos and photographs.
‘Gaff’ with (not interview!!) cleaning and ground staff.
And as easy as that, you have your story!!
When you leave the stadium, seek permission from officials to visit. Ask them about what you ‘have heard’ about the condition of the stadium.
If you are told the reports are false, show the official your videos and photos.
To paraphrase a line from that book on investigative journalism, “the reporter got the story by wearing baggy pants, rather than a trench coat.”
Yours respectfully,
Michael A. Jordan
Journalist and author
