Ted Bridis, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) Michael and Linda Connelly Senior Lecturer in Investigative Reporting, is the author of the opinion column “Investigative Journalism is Not Dying, it’s Adapting” published in the Tampa Bay Times on April 23.

In the column, Bridis focuses on the importance of training the next generation of reporters to keep journalism accountable.

“Ensuring that journalism continues to have integrity — by subscribing to local news outlets, supporting nonprofit media and demanding transparency from elected officials — is a shared civic duty in a democracy. And higher education institutions, nonprofits and news organizations are playing a vital role in keeping the Fourth Estate relevant and essential to American life,” writes Bridis.

He references UFCJC’s Fresh Take Florida program where students work alongside seasoned professionals to report on issues of statewide importance — from government accountability to environmental degradation. Their stories appear free of charge in major outlets across Florida and the nation, filling critical gaps as local newsrooms shrink.

“But we’re not just training the next generation of journalists; we’re also developing new tools for professional newsrooms to support their work,” writes Bridis. “Our new data service aggregates public records from across the state, making it lightning-fast for journalists to uncover wrongdoing. This is a game changer for newsrooms with limited resources, enabling them to report stories that might otherwise slip through the cracks.”

Recently, several colleges, including UFCJC, published a report exploring what college journalism programs are doing now and how they can be expanded to include more opportunities for collaboration.

“Thirty years ago, investigative journalists were so competitive that they resorted to sabotaging the only payphone at the courthouse to ensure they — and only they — had the scoop on a critical verdict. These days, news organizations realize that they must collaborate to be competitive,” writes Bridis.

This collaborative spirit is at the heart of the UF College of Journalism and Communications’ Collier Prize for State Government Accountability, which recognizes the best in state government reporting.

“As the Collier Prize is awarded at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday, it will serve as a powerful reminder that investigative journalism is not dying — it’s adapting,” writes Bridis. “Democracy needs trustworthy, independent-minded journalists who seek the truth and report it. But journalism also needs people who value and support that work. The future of investigative journalism is in our hands, and it’s up to all of us to ensure that our citizens are informed — and inspired — to engage in the democratic process.”

Posted: April 24, 2024
Category: College News, Student News
Tagged as: Collier Prize for State Government Accountability, Fresh Take Florida, investigative journalism, Tampa Bay Times, Ted Bridis