What Makes a Story Worth Investigating

Not every tip leads to a story. Not every suspicious activity warrants months of investigation. After 30 years, I’ve developed a framework for evaluating potential investigations.

The Three Questions

Before committing to any investigation, I ask three questions:

1. Is There a Public Interest?

The story must matter to readers—this isn’t about exposing every private indiscretion. Public interest means:

• Taxpayer money potentially misused
• Government decisions affecting community welfare
• Safety issues
• Patterns of law-breaking
• Institutional failures that harm citizens

2. Can I Verify the Claims?

Investigations require evidence, not just sources. Can I document what’s being alleged?

• Public records that substantiate the claims
• Multiple independent sources
• Financial documents
• Statistical anomalies that can be confirmed

3. Do I Have the Resources?

Time, energy, and resources matter:

• Do I have access to necessary documents?
• Can I devote the required time?
• Is the potential impact worth the investment?

Red Flags That Send Me Running

Some stories aren’t worth pursuing:

• Single-source allegations without documentation
• Vengeful whistleblowers with personal agendas
• Conspiracy thinking without evidence
• Stories that can’t be verified

Signs That Point Toward Investigation

The opposite signals:

• Documented patterns across multiple sources
• Follow the money trails
• Tip archives building over time
• Expert consultation confirming unusual activity

My Process

When evaluating story leads, I maintain a simple system:

1. Note every tip in a running file
2. Research publicly available background
3. Identify verification paths
4. Prioritize by public interest and feasibility
5. Pursue only high-probability stories

This methodical approach ensures Iinvestigate stories that can be substantiated—protecting both my reputation and sources who trust me.

Selecting investigations wisely is as important as executing them well.