Behind The Headlines: A History Of Investigative Journalism in Canada

by Cecil Rosner

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 30 years of experience, analyzes the evolution of investigative journalism in Canada, exploring 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. Engaging and readable, Behind the Headlines will appeal to anyone intrigued by investigative journalism.

Genres: Journalism

272 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm somewhat biased because I've had training sessions with Cecil Rosner and know him to be a gifted journalist and lovely human being, but I enjoyed the book as well. I feel like there are few books documenting the history of Canadian journalism in general, let alone as thoroughly as this one.

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important book.

Canada has a long history of robust and courageous investigative journalism. Strangely, a history of the subject had not been written, prior to this one.

The author is a journalist and professor of journalism himself, and it shows. This book is thorough, readable and balanced.

For example, Rosner is quick to point out that journalists at either end of the political spectrum can produce devastating investigative work, provided they stick to the facts.

Strongly recommended to any students of journalism (and there's been a Gonzo streak up this way, too) or those that love to read tales of afflicting the comfortable.