Investigative journalism 50 years after Watergate: Has the watchdog lost its bite?

The Watergate scandal, investigated by journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, is often viewed as the defining moment that elevated the role of investigative journalism in the United States and beyond. Nixon’s resignation highlighted, among other things, journalism’s ability to hold the powerful accountable. This Special Issue revisits Watergate 50 years later, exploring its lasting impact on investigative journalism and its role in promoting democratic accountability. The issue examines whether investigative journalism, under financial duress, can fulfill its core functions in a polarized, post-truth political environment. Examining investigative journalism as it relates to the Trump administration, the editorial delves into watchdog reporting’s definitions, funding models and societal impact to evaluate whether it retains the same influence in contemporary times. By revisiting Watergate’s legacy and its implications for contemporary investigative reporting, this article concludes that democracy’s guardrails, especially the fourth estate, while committed to their mission, are under unprecedented strain.