It costs around $10,000 to produce a substantial investigation. This includes 4 weeks of research, document review, interviews, and writing 2-4 drafts. It includes structural edits, design and technology support, copy edits, image creation, fact checking, a legal review, and promotions. Adding in data journalism and infographics pushes the cost up more.
Investigations are really expensive. That's why you see so many big media organizations cutting back on investigative budgets or destroying them completely. But investigative journalism provides the public with information that is critical to public discourse. In some cases, it literally saves lives. It can protect public health and expose corruption. It shines light on solutions. So, please, won't you, donate what you can? Thank you ahead of time.
