Abstract

Scholars claimed that investigative journalism in Italy did not exist, because political partisanship and publisher interests prevented the media from fulfilling their watchdog role. However, these claims were not based on systematic, generalisable studies. Using a quantitative content analysis, I empirically measured the quantity and quality of investigative journalism in the most highly-circulated Italian online and printed newspapers in 2022. Adapting from a multidimensional operationalisation, that defined quality and quantity of investigative journalism based on the presence or absence in the article of eight indicators, I assessed how much this type of reporting is present; what outlets are producing more and better investigations; what role political partisanship plays; what topics are investigated the most, and through what strategies (i.e., collaborations). Findings revealed that Italian investigative journalism existed, and it was at least as rare as in other countries. No statistically significant differences were found between printed and online media, as well as between partisan and neutral outlets, regarding the number and the quality of investigations. This study contradicted existing literature, which took for granted that the lack of a receptive public opinion and the persistence of political partisanship were an insurmountable obstacle for the production of investigative journalism in the country. Yet, cross-newsroom collaborations were practically absent. Despite being widely practised in international investigations, Italian mainstream media seemed to ignore this type of reporting. Aside from being the first, systematic study of its kind in the Italian context, the present research also offered a contribution from a methodological standpoint, demonstrating the importance of measuring investigative reporting empirically.