A golden age? Myths and meaning

Edited book (chapter)

Coatney, Caryn. 2023. "A golden age? Myths and meaning." Coatney, Caryn (ed.) Investigative Journalism in Changing Times: Australian and Anglo-American Reporting. United Kingdom. Routledge. pp. 16-30
Chapter Title

A golden age? Myths and meaning

Book Chapter CategoryEdited book (chapter)
ERA Publisher ID3137
Book TitleInvestigative Journalism in Changing Times: Australian and Anglo-American Reporting
AuthorsCoatney, Caryn
EditorsCoatney, Caryn
Page Range16-30
SeriesRoutledge Research in Journalism
Chapter Number2
Number of Pages15
Year2023
PublisherRoutledge
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
New York
ISBN9781032246901
9781032246918
9781003279808
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003279808-2
Web Address (URL)https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003279808-2/golden-age-caryn-coatney
Abstract

Watchdog journalists have long been portrayed in a lament for a golden yesteryear of unparalleled prosperity. There has been less analysis about the meaning of a past ‘golden age’ for investigative reporters today. This chapter seeks to answer the question, What are the media styles, roles and influences of golden ages in investigative journalism? Taking a discursive approach, this chapter provides a fresh perspective that counters the traditional notion of sameness within Australian and Anglo-American investigative reporting. This chapter argues that journalists have developed varying expressions of golden ages to reaffirm their central ideals, identities and styles of watchdog reporting. It finds that journalists increasingly advocated an open revolt against elegiac tributes to a lost profession. Their discussions have also asserted a growing need to reinterpret the so-called gilded days to allow for more inclusive reporting.

KeywordsJournalism; Investigative journalism
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020470105. Journalism studies
430399. Historical studies not elsewhere classified
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Byline AffiliationsUniversity of Southern Queensland
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