The potential of investigative data journalism to reshape professional culture and values. A study of bellwether transnational projects

Abstract

This article offers a specialized view of investigative data journalism based on a study of recent initiatives that resulted from transnational cooperation involving different journalistic agents and institutions. The initiatives in question are The Migrant Files (2014), NarcoData (2015), Medicamentalia (2015-2018), Panama Papers (2016), Football Leaks (2016) and Investiga Lava Jato (2017). These products are analysed according to the main approach used in research in this field, which focuses on their content and characteristics as well as on the professional implications and difficulties involved. The conclusions suggest that the complexity and effort required for this type of product can be worthwhile in order to recover the principles of journalism and to renew and enrich the role of journalists, based on their collaboration with other professionals.