‘Specialist local journalists just don’t have the resources to fight’ – Bureau of Investigative Journalism’s Franz Wild tells AJEUK about the legal threats against exposing corruption

If you don’t know the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, you’re missing some of the best investigations into corruption and social inequality in the UK. At a time when clicks and fast news seems to be the priority for news organisations – along with some political bubble navel gazing – TBIJ takes its time.

Thanks to contributions and private funders, the Bureau takes a deep dive into major investigations that need a little more legwork that your usual news feed. Founded in 2010 by David and Elaine Potter, they tackle big subjects through deep reporting that uncovers the truth.

“The commodity of news is worthless,” says Editor Franz Wild. “Big news and AI can’t speak to people on the ground, there’s loads of things that we as humans can deliver that AI can’t, and there are lots of exciting stories that need a human reporter.

“There are so many opportunities for young people coming into industry, you could start a newsletter of huge significance with a small amount of set-up, and we need to give journalists the tools to attack and serve up public service journalism.”

He thanked journalism lecturers, most of whom are ex-journalists, for keeping a flow of young, engaged reporters who want to tell stories that matter in their communities. “You need to engender [in student journalists] that agility, and ability, to tell stories in different formats – video and text. We can’t just expect to publish something and expect people to see it as shocking, we have to explain WHY it’s shocking. Don’t assume the audience knows.”

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