Visiting Steve Andrews, Chief Investigative Reporter for News Channel 8, WFLA, was a great experience. He is one of the most respected investigative reports in the area by his colleagues and one of the most feared by his victims.
Mr. Andrews demonstrated the patience and hard work that goes into pursuing a full-fledged investigation. After the tip is received there is a combination of interviews and many public records searches that are required to uncover the truth and ask for change.
It was definitely eye-opening to see the stack of records he received for the reservoir story. He had to comb though each one individually because hidden in all of the clutter there was the story he was searching for. Also, the interview questions that made air were hard hitting and impossible to avoid. I think that is what makes him so successful. Something I took away from this meeting was that sometimes it is not the question itself, but it is how you ask it. I actually has some practice with this, I was trying to find out if someone had been vaccinated against a disease they died from. While medical records do not fall under public domain, I needed to find a ways to get the answer. After asking the doctor straight forward, she explained she could not tell me. Then at the end of the interview I rephrased the question and she answered it.
I believe that the type of reporting that Steve Andrews does is what real reporting is all about. What is the purpose of being a reporter is you cannot provoke change. Although that attitude comes with its own price. Andrews reported on the Harry Lee Coe’s gambling. While that is not illegal, Coe was apparently embarrassed of his involvement and tried to have computer records destroyed. That is illegal. Andrews kept up with him, and when after the story aired, Coe committed suicide. Even worse, Andrews was the man that found him dead in his car under the Crosstown Bridge. While I do not believe it is Andrews fault that Coe is dead, I personally would find it hard to sleep at night. That to me brings up a dilemma. How do you know how far to take a story, or why pursue an investigation where no illegal actions are happening?
Nonetheless, I learned a lot about investigative reporting. This all from the father of one of my favorite ESPN sports reporters.
Mr. Andrews demonstrated the patience and hard work that goes into pursuing a full-fledged investigation. After the tip is received there is a combination of interviews and many public records searches that are required to uncover the truth and ask for change.
It was definitely eye-opening to see the stack of records he received for the reservoir story. He had to comb though each one individually because hidden in all of the clutter there was the story he was searching for. Also, the interview questions that made air were hard hitting and impossible to avoid. I think that is what makes him so successful. Something I took away from this meeting was that sometimes it is not the question itself, but it is how you ask it. I actually has some practice with this, I was trying to find out if someone had been vaccinated against a disease they died from. While medical records do not fall under public domain, I needed to find a ways to get the answer. After asking the doctor straight forward, she explained she could not tell me. Then at the end of the interview I rephrased the question and she answered it.
I believe that the type of reporting that Steve Andrews does is what real reporting is all about. What is the purpose of being a reporter is you cannot provoke change. Although that attitude comes with its own price. Andrews reported on the Harry Lee Coe’s gambling. While that is not illegal, Coe was apparently embarrassed of his involvement and tried to have computer records destroyed. That is illegal. Andrews kept up with him, and when after the story aired, Coe committed suicide. Even worse, Andrews was the man that found him dead in his car under the Crosstown Bridge. While I do not believe it is Andrews fault that Coe is dead, I personally would find it hard to sleep at night. That to me brings up a dilemma. How do you know how far to take a story, or why pursue an investigation where no illegal actions are happening?
Nonetheless, I learned a lot about investigative reporting. This all from the father of one of my favorite ESPN sports reporters.
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