GUIA DOCENTE: Periodismo de Investigación

This document is the official course syllabus (Guía Docente) for the Investigative Journalism course (Periodismo de Investigación), code 604037, offered as part of the Master's degree in Professional Multimedia Journalism at the Complutense University of Madrid. The course is taught by Professor José Ángel Castro Savoie within the Department of Journalism I. It is a 6 ECTS credit elective course held during the second semester. The syllabus outlines the course objectives, which focus on providing students with the techniques and mental framework necessary for investigative journalism, distinguishing it from daily news reporting. Key topics covered in the curriculum include the professional profile of an investigative journalist, historical references, the process of investigation, data and source validation, investigative techniques, and the legal aspects of the profession, such as the use of hidden cameras, the right to information versus the right to honor, and laws regarding official secrets and data protection. The document also details the grading system, which is based on continuous assessment including mandatory assignments (25%), oral presentations (15%), seminars/practicals (10%), a final exam (40%), and attendance at extracurricular activities (10%). A comprehensive bibliography is provided, recommending various texts on investigative journalism, precision journalism, and historical case studies. The document concludes by noting that the final grade is determined by the global assessment of interventions, voluntary work, and the final exam, and lists potential research lines for the Master's Thesis (TFM), including investigative journalism, information law, precision journalism, and agency journalism.