Investigative journalism and political accountability in South American democracies

Abstract

A number of recent cases of investigative journalism in the South American news media might lead to a conclusion that U.S‐style professional norms are beginning to characterize that region's press. The present research argues, rather, that there is as yet no consensus among journalists about the ideals that should govern them: South American journalism straddles ambiguous traditions and continues to be mired in cultural contradictions and the political and economic boundaries of local media industries.