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# Tony Collins Talks Investigative Journalism
- URL: https://onemanandhisblog.com/2009/03/tony_collins_talks_investigative_journal/
- Published: 2009-03-19T12:25:39.000Z
- Updated: 2015-04-08T14:28:13.000Z
- Author: Adam Tinworth
- Tags: investigative journalism, Journalism, Journalists, Tony Collins

[![Tony Collins @ Elevenses](https://i0.wp.com/www.onemanandhisblog.com/content/images/2009/03/3367879692_2be4431b30_b-thumb-500x375-1261.jpg?resize=500%2C375)](http://www.onemanandhisblog.com/assets%5Fc/2009/03/3367879692%5F2be4431b30%5Fb-1261.html?ref=onemanandhisblog.com)

I’m at our second Elevenses event at RBI. \[Tony Collins\](http://www.computerweekly.com/blogs/tony\_collins/) is talking about investigative journalism. Some key points to follow:- You have to build trust with contacts – and that can mean not running stories instially to build the relationship - It’s not a 9 to 5 job – contacts will often need to talk to you out of hours – and beware phone records that can expose your relationship - Keep close to the subs working on your story – don’t let them rewrite in a way that removes vital nuances. - Don’t overstate the case – and beware of coming over as the journalist stereotypes, as that can undermine your credibility in readers’ eyes - His blog is invaluable – the number of tip-offs he gets as a result exceeds his ability to cope with them - Forums can be an invaluable source of stories or information from them – and you can ask for information - Don’t be a repositary for secrets – we’re paid to write not to know things. Persuade them – work with them – to get their permission to publish 

Only a taster of course. I’m not giving away everything Tony had to say. 🙂