The Organization
About Investigative Post
Investigative Post is the only news organization in Western New York dedicated exclusively to producing watchdog journalism. Its mission includes covering issues of importance to the citizens and taxpayers of Buffalo and Western New York.
It has struck distribution deals with a number of media outlets, most notably WGRZ 2 On Your Side, and is partnering with journalism programs at colleges and universities in Western New York to help develop young journalists.
Investigative Post launched in February 2012 under the direction of Jim Heaney, a former investigative reporter with The Buffalo News. Lee Coppola, a former investigative reporter, federal prosecutor and journalism school dean, serves as president of the board. Other board members include Tom Toles, a Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist.
Buffalo joins more than 40 cities and regions around the nation with a non-profit investigative reporting center. Most of the centers have been established in the past five years in reaction to cutbacks in newspaper and television newsrooms that have hamstrung their ability to produce investigative and other in-depth coverage.
“In this world of diminishing investigative journalism resources, Investigative Post provides another means for shedding light on what some want hidden,” Coppola said. “As far as I’m concerned, the more experienced investigative journalistic eyes watching what happens in our region, the better.”
Added Toles: “The changing media landscape has challenged the vital role of investigative reporting in the American press, particularly at the local level. Investigative Post helps fill a crucial need for more than just information, but for the kind of public understanding that makes democracy work.”
Rather than competing with established news outlets, investigative centers collaborate with them. Investigative Post and WGRZ, an NBC affiliate, co-produce investigations, interviews and other content.
Investigative Post stories and commentary also appear regularly in Artvoice, the region’s alternative news weekly. Selected content is also shared with WBFO 88.7 FM, the region’s National Public Radio outlet. The Buffalo News also publishes Investigative Post stories on occasion.
Investigative Post also publishes a website, investigativepost.org and distributes its digital content via Facebook and Twitter.
Seeking to tap the expertise of academia, Investigative Post is teaming up with the journalism programs and academic departments at regional colleges and universities.
Investigative Post is a member of the Investigative News Network.