Understanding and predicting public opinion on investigative journalism.

This article examines public perceptions of investigative journalism, focusing on factors that shape how citizens value this form of news reporting, often described as "democracy's detectives." Using two statewide surveys from Indiana (N = 1,077 and N = 546), the study finds that investigative journalism's watchdog role remains highly valued, particularly its function of investigating government claims. Key predictors of positive perceptions include the general perceived importance of news media (Perceived News Media Importance, PNMI), trust in journalists' motives, individuals' personal epistemology—specifically a "Need for Evidence"—and political ideology, with political conservatism negatively correlating with valuing investigative journalism. The research highlights the polarized nature of attitudes toward investigative journalism and suggests that aligning journalistic practices with audience values and increasing transparency may help address skepticism and broaden support.