<p>Investigative reporting might make great fodder for Hollywood movies, but the reality is far from glamourous.</p> <p>Blockbuster investigations can take years, even decades, and require grit and determination.</p> <p>So, what drives this special breed of journalists?</p> <p>Take Chicago-based journalist Jim DeRogatis, who pivoted from pop music critic to investigative journalist when he was faxed a tip off he almost consigned to the rubbish bin. That fax had information about the crimes of Robert Sylvester Kelly, aka the disgraced R&amp;B singer R. Kelly. It took decades of persistence before Kelly was brought to justice.</p> <p>Kate McClymont is the Chief Investigative Reporter at one of Australia’s biggest papers — <em>The Sydney Morning Herald</em>. She’s spent decades exposing corrupt politicians. She’s covered Australia’s criminal underworld, been sued for defamation and worked with sources who are themselves targets of violence.</p> <p>So what precisely does this special breed of reporter have in their DNA that pushes them to pursue a story for 20 years, to put their lives on the line to prove that anonymous tip and get the most sensitive, impactful stories to print?</p> <p>In this episode of <em>Journo</em>, Kate and Jim share with Nick Bryant the stories they simply couldn’t let go.  </p> <p><em>Journo</em> is a production of <a href="https://www.deadsetstudios.com/">Deadset Studios</a>. This episode was made with support from the <a href="https://jninstitute.org/">Judith Neilson Institute</a>.</p> <p>Host: Nick Bryant<br>Executive Producer: Rachel Fountain<br>Producers: Grace Pashley &amp; Britta Jorgensen<br>Sound Design: Melissa May<br>Managing Editor: Kellie Riordan<br>Commissioning Editor: Andrea Ho </p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>