Behind the Headlines: A History of Investigative Journalism in Canada

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?

Cecil Rosner teaches investigative journalism in the department of Rhetoric, Writing, and Communications at the University of Winnipeg. He has more than 35 years of experience in print and broadcast journalism, and investigative journalism is his area of expertise. He has two Michener Awards and two Gemini Awards to his credit. Currently, he also is managing editor for television and radio for CBC Manitoba.