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In a perfect world, the media should serve as watchdogs of democracy and guardians of the public interest. This includes investing in the resources to facilitate high quality, investigative journalism uncovering corruption and keeping the populace well informed. However, with the increasing trend towards media consolidation and corporatization, consumers of news have been exposed to entertainment oriented news packaging that does not always serve the public interest and that promotes ratings oftentimes to the peril of other journalistic ambitions.
The recent release of the Panama Papers serves as a significant reminder that when good, quality investigative reporting is done, it can have transformative effects—in this case on a global scale. Being referred to as the biggest journalistic leak in history, this trove of 11.5 million documents has implicated heads of state and other public figures in tax evasions, money laundering, fraud and a host of other potential crimes. The leak has already led to the resignation of one head of state (Iceland) and has been touted by one source as a “discovery with the potential to change the world” (Reynolds, 2016, para 13).
The leak of the Panama Papers is part of a collaboration among journalists who engage in investigative reporting. This landmark leak reflects the hard work and patience that comes from vetting sources properly and taking the time to follow leads that were offered by an anonymous whistleblower over a year ago. A five person team of journalists in Germany morphed into a collaboration with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalism, with reporters from across the world (reportedly over 70 countries were involved) coordinating efforts with multiple media companies and journalists to bring the story to the public. Shockingly, the hundreds of investigators and collaborators involved were able to keep a lid on the story until it was released this week.
In the age of social media and a 24-hour news cycle where “Breaking News” includes celebrity scandals and low brow sex tapes the country and globe has never needed quality journalism more than it does now. The significance of this story will hopefully spotlight the irreplaceable role that traditional journalism and investigative reporting in particular must continue to play even in this new media landscape (similar to what many hoped the Spotlight Oscar win for Best Picture would do for the reputation and esteem given to quality reporting in this new digital age).
As Parry (2005) reflects regarding investigative reporting:
Investigative reporting also can strip away the pleasing façade of a deceptive leader or it can expose flaws in a ‘conventional wisdom’ that is taking the nation in a dangerous direction. Done right, investigative journalism is a huge threat to powerful elites trying to manipulate a population (para 2).
Indeed, the fallout from the release of these documents continues to evolve. As more and more revelations come to light, heads of state and other public figures will be under pressure to be held accountable for their tax evasion and other potential economic related crimes. Still yet to be explored in depth is the role that these tax havens and shell companies play in offering cover to terrorist organizations and in funneling money in support of terrorist activities. Thus far, at least 33 individuals or companies on the U.S. blacklist have been identified in the leaked documents (Fitzgibbon & Hamilton, 2016). These companies or individuals have been implicated in financing terrorism, bypassing sanctions, financing war criminals, and/or drug kingpins.
The Panama Papers should be celebrated as an illustrious reflection of what investigative journalism can do in forcing leaders to transparency and equipping the public with the information needed to hold their leaders accountable.
Fitzgibbon, W., Hamilton, M. (2016, April 4). Panama Papers: Customers include suspected financiers of terrorism and gunrunners. The Irish Times. Retrieved on April 6, 2016 from: Irishtimes.com.
Parry, R. (2005, July 29). Why we need investigative reporting. Consortium News. Retrieved on April 6, 2016 from: consortiumnews.com.
Reynolds, E. How a secret global team uncovered the biggest leak in history. Business: News.com.au. Retrieved on April 6, 2016 from: news.com.au
Copyright Azadeh Aalai 2016
