Description

World Bank case study
This report was commissioned by the World Bank Institute for use as training material in the organization’s learning programs on governance and anti-corruption. Lars Møller and I found the story inspiring -- that even in the most corrupt environment, patient, steadfast investigative journalism can have an immense impact.

Published by the World Bank Institute, 2002
Click HERE to download a PDF of the full document (LINK TO PDF)


Case Study
Journalistic Legwork that Tumbled a President
A Case Study and Guide for Investigative Journalists

By Lars Møller and Jack Jackson


From the Forward:

The story of how a handful of Filipino journalists pulled the red carpet from under their powerful president is not only a great story. It is a brilliant case study for other journalists. How did they dare to go against a president who made all other media tremble? How did they initiate the investigation when their starting point was nothing more than a great hunch and numerous coffee shop rumours? And how did they find their way through all the documents that finally disclosed the billion-peso (tens of millions in U.S. dollars) graft and corruption of the now ousted president?

This case study shows that patient, steadfast investigative journalism can have an immense impact—even in a country rife with weak law enforcement, corruption and close-knit cronyism.

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) proved this through its first eight months of investigating the unexplained wealth of Philippine President Joseph Estrada. The center’s first three published reports became cornerstones in the impeachment trial against Estrada. The trial led to Estrada’s downfall a few months later, and PCIJ’s stories were fundamental in rousting the country’s non-critical media into action.

This report is divided into four main sections:

• Chapter 1 — A study of the investigation. Here we follow the journalists from their point of departure to the breakthrough eight months later.

• Chapter 2 — A guide to how they did it. Chronological tips of how the PCIJ carried out its investigation and the methods it used.

• Chapter 3 — The sequel. Here we describe the aftermath — from a refreshed media environment to Estrada’s ousting to the PCIJ’s journalism awards.

• Annexes — The stories that tumbled the president. Here we include the full text of the PCIJ’s first three Estrada reports, including tables and illustrations.

Copyright 2002 World Bank Institute. Used by permission.