Exposés

An exposé is a report or article that reveals information about wrongdoing, corruption, or abuses of power that has been concealed from the public. It is a form of investigative journalism intended to illuminate issues institutions or individuals wish to keep hidden.

Exposés are typically based on primary documents, leaked data, official records, interviews with confidential or whistleblower sources, and corroborating evidence. They aim to present verified facts, provide context, and connect data points to show a pattern of behavior. They may be published as articles, reports, or multimedia investigations, and can take the form of a single piece or part of a longer investigative project.

The publication of an exposé can prompt public debate, regulatory scrutiny, policy changes, resignations, or legal action, but it can also lead to legal challenges such as defamation suits. Ethical practice emphasizes source protection, accuracy, transparency about methods, and careful consideration of potential harms and public interest.

Historically, exposés are associated with muckraking journalism of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as Ida Tarbell’s work on Standard Oil and Upton Sinclair’s investigations into factory conditions. In more recent times, exposés have included large-scale investigative efforts like the Panama Papers, which exposed offshore financial networks through leaked documents.