Looking forward to the future of journalism

What's so great about investigative journalism? Aren't the lamestream media obsessed with fake news or something?

Actually, journalists care deeply about getting the facts right. We suffer from an abnormal fear of getting something wrong. It keeps us up at night.

The truth is, good things happen when journalists ask tough questions, gather evidence and share what they learned with thousands of readers. Read more about how I became hooked on journalism and why it's such an amazing field.

OK, that actually sounds kind of cool. What kind of investigative articles do you specialize in?

I work on stories that usually take a long time — but they're worth the effort.

I've recently written about sexual abuse in Southern Baptist churches; the deadliest hot-air balloon crash in U.S. history; the mass shooting in Sutherland Springs; and the sudden proliferation of natural-gas flares across the Eagle Ford Shale. Check out my clips page, where you'll find my past projects.

Aren't blogs lame? Why do you bother?

Blogging is actually pretty great. Whenever I respond to an email from an irate reader, the conversation usually improves dramatically. That irate reader realized there was a human being behind the byline. Blogging is a way to bring that conversation to more people and explain why journalists do what we do.

Journalists also know storytelling skills that can help people find information and tell their own stories. But we don't do a very good job sharing our knowledge. Blogging lets me do that. One of my most popular "how to" posts is about harnessing the power of Google and crafting better web searches.

I have a juicy news tip. What's the best way to contact an investigative journalist like you?

I'm on the usual social media platforms: Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram. But if you want to talk about a sensitive topic, there are better options. Avoid contacting me from your work computer or phone, and don't use your work email. Read more about secure ways to contact me.

Thanks for reading and keep in touch.