UK: "Investigative journalism is disappearing from regional press"

As Press Gazette reports, journalist Don Hale complained about the disappearance of investigative journalism from the regional press in a speech to students at Lincoln University. He said, "Investigations have almost disappeared without trace in the regional press and, to a large extent, in the nationals ... True: journos can still mislead and infiltrate Buckingham Palace, airports or the police. But what has happened to real-life investigations? Most journos seem content with sitting ontheir backsides and using email, the mobile phone, or the internet for misinformation ... Gone are the local contacts built up over years — the personal touch, knowing the councillors, police contacts and community gossips." He claimed that journalists need to get to know their local communities. In 2001, when he was editor of the Matlock Mercury, Don Hale became famous for his successful campaign to secure the release of Stephen Downing who was jailed for murder for 27 years and whose conviction was finally quashed in January 2002 Source: Press Gazette