Investigative journalism is leaving television behind

The media industry loves to talk about the death of things. The death of cable. The death of appointment viewing. The death of the 30-second spot.

But we’re not talking enough about what’s actually dying: long-form investigative journalism on television.

Not the three-minute package that leads the evening news. Not the “exclusive investigation” that’s really just a press release with b-roll. I’m talking about the kind of work that takes months, requires lawyers, and makes advertisers nervous.

The shrinking landscape

Look around at local stations, cable news channels, national networks. What’s left?

CBS News and “60 Minutes” remain the gold standard, though even that institution faces questions about its future under new ownership of David Ellison and Skydance Media. ABC News’ “Nightline” remains hidden on the schedule. NBC, meanwhile, took a swing with “Rock Center” and struck out. And “Frontline,” well, one can hope it survives, given the impending exodus of funding and member stations on PBS.

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