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(Nov. 21, 2024) — In February 1975, a group of journalists from across the country gathered in Reston, Virginia to discuss the future of investigative journalism.
It was an unprecedented year. Just months before, President Richard Nixon became the first U.S. president to resign after the Watergate Scandal. U.S. forces had recently left Vietnam, and the 30-year conflict was approaching its end. To navigate this moment of national chaos and political uncertainty, NBC was brewing up a new show called “Saturday Night” to premiere that fall.
Unprecedented times. Sound familiar?
During this time, “investigative reporting exploded in the United States,” Leonard Downie Jr., one of the editors on the Watergate stories, describes in a 2015 edition of The IRE Journal. But newsrooms did not have much investigative experience.
So, a group of investigative reporters and editors gathered to form an organization that could embody their mission and empower journalists to share story ideas, newsgathering techniques and best practices. They represented news outlets across the country, including the Chicago Tribune, The Indianapolis Star, Ohio State University, The New York Times, Newhouse News and The Washington Post.
That gathering is where investigative reporters and editors became “Investigative Reporters & Editors.” Les Whitten, a Washington, D.C. columnist at the meeting, asserted that what most characterizes the investigative reporter is “ire” or “a sense of outrage,” so it was decided that the acronym IRE fit such an association.
The founding of IRE ushered in a new era in investigative journalism.
“IRE grew far beyond the ambitions of its founders … and through its training, resources and mutual support, played a major, continuing role in the expansion and impact of investigative reporting in the United States and elsewhere,” Downie Jr., an IRE founder, previously wrote.
Since 1976, IRE has hosted the flagship IRE Conference in different cities every year (and a couple online during another unprecedented time), allowing hundreds of journalists to connect, commiserate and share their collected wisdom.
In 1989, inspired by the work of pioneering journalist and “Precision Journalism” author Philip Meyer, IRE began training in data journalism through the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting (NICAR). Since then, NICAR has helped hundreds of journalists harness the power of data using the latest technology and software.
In addition to offering this programming, IRE has made conscious efforts over the years to ensure our training reaches more people, and helps bring new voices and perspectives to the field.
And as times have changed, we’ve adapted to better serve our membership. Since 2020, we’ve dramatically increased our virtual programming to make IRE training more accessible and affordable. This year alone, IRE hosted about 30 free webinars — more than any other journalism association — as well as our virtual-by-design conference, AccessFest.
This type of training and mentorship equips journalists to pursue investigations that expose injustice, bring about change and hold power to account. Over the last 50 years, IRE members have been dogged and fearless in their pursuit of the truth, from investigating influence and ethics at the Supreme Court to exposing sex abuse at USA Gymnastics and so many other countless stories over the years. For further proof and inspiration, just take a look at all the past winners and finalists of the IRE Awards.
Along with celebrating our wins, IRE members have also stood together in tough times, even when faced with the darker, and outright dangerous, side of this profession, starting with The Arizona Project in 1976 to The Chauncey Bailey Project in 2007, when journalists were killed in retaliation for their reporting. In 2023, IRE hosted a workshop and started a fund in honor of Jeff German, a longtime Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter who was killed by the subject of his reporting.
As we reflect on these historic events and our upcoming 50th anniversary, IRE remains steadfast in this core belief: Investigative journalism is essential to a free, democratic society.
This is our foundation. This is our story. Will you help us write the next chapter?
Our organization relies on the support of generous benefactors and a steady stream of donations. If you would like to see us continue our mission and expand the work of investigative journalists around the world, please consider donating to our end-of-year giving campaign.
The future of our organization, and investigative journalism, depends on your support.
Make a Donation: Help us reach our end-of-year goal of $50,000. You can donate online, via text or by mail. Any amount helps!
Double Your Donation: Check if your employer offers matching gifts to amplify your support.
Start a Facebook Fundraiser: Rally your network by hosting a Facebook fundraiser for Giving Tuesday. It’s an easy and impactful way to spread the word.
Get involved: Become a member or encourage someone to join! Memberships range from $25-75/year. You can also give a gift membership to a family member, friend or colleague.
Learn about the IRE Legacy Society: Leave a lasting impact by supporting IRE’s future through planned giving.
Spread the Word: Give us a shoutout on social media! Use #SupportIRE to share why you support IRE and help others discover our work. You can find us @IRE_NICAR on most platforms.
