Behind the Headlines

Updated content. A new Preface to the paperback edition touches on the contemporary issues facing the media industry.
Canadian focus. Numerous examples and case studies of Canadian journalism drawn from throughout history. Discusses trends in American and international journalism as they relate to journalism in Canada.
Current perspective. Provides fresh insights into events of the past decade, such as the sponsorship scandal and "Airbus Affair."
Engaging, readable tone. Rosner's experience and talent as a journalist makes the history covered in this text both exciting and extremely readable.
Extensive research. The text draws from a rich variety of primary and secondary sources to analyze investigative journalism's evolution, explaining the development of the specific set of practices that make up the genre in the context of changing social and historical forces.
Comprehensive, topic-based coverage. Rather than working through a straightforward chronology, the text uses a topic-based examination of history, exploring wide-ranging and thought-provoking issues such as public broadcasting, commercialization of the press, alternative media, ethics, and the impact of technology.
Excellent historical coverage. Covers trends and major events in Canadian investigative journalism from mid-nineteenth century to present.

Canadian investigative journalism has brought down governments, held powerful interests to account, infiltrated criminal networks, and exonerated the wrongly accused. Behind the Headlines presents the exciting history of investigative journalism in Canada in an account spanning from the nation's earliest newspapers through to the present day. Drawing on numerous case studies and examples, Cecil Rosner, a journalist with more than 35 years of experience, analyzes the evolution of investigative journalism in Canada and explores the development of specific practices within the context of changing social and historical forces. Rather than working through a straightforward chronology, Rosner uses a topic-based approach exploring wide-ranging and thought-provoking issues such as public broadcasting, commercialization of the press, alternative media, ethics, and the impact of technology. Highlighting key players and stories such as the sponsorship scandal and the Mulroney "Airbus Affair," Behind the Headlines provides fresh insight into this previously undocumented history.

A new Preface to the paperback edition brings the book up to date, offering a current perspective on the shift from old to new media and ongoing efforts for media outlets to find financially sustainable revenue models. After the collapse of the Canwest empire and the rise of ProPulica and WikiLeaks, the turbulent media landscape is taking on a new form. What implications does this have for investigative journalism, not just in Canada, but around the world?