• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.27-38
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• 2017

While the practice of investigative journalism among public service broadcasters has declined in the 2010s, Newstapa, a nonprofit online news organization, emerged as a trustworthy provider of investigative reportage. This study explores the reasons why the realistic conditions for investigative journalism -- such as competent journalists, adequate support systems, and productive cultures -- were first realized and later changed among public broadcasters and in Newstapa. Governmental pressure and the public broadcasting managements' anti-journalism policy had a chilling effect on the production staff of public broadcasters. Their enthusiasm was affected and led to a decline in the production culture of discussion and teamwork. The staff's strong will to practice journalism and the persistence of a production culture that respected autonomy and guaranteed independence enabled Newstapa to become an influential investigative journalism institution in a relatively short period of time. This proves that meaningful investigative journalism is possible when the combined elements of competent and determined journalism practitioners, as well as a system supportive of extensive news gathering and independence of production, are in place. An investigative program is the outcome of ideal broadcasters' journalistic conditions and a vibrant and thriving production culture.