“Don’t Just Report – Investigate” – Manasseh Azure Awuni Takes UniMAC Students Inside Undercover Journalism

“Don’t Just Report – Investigate” – Manasseh Azure Awuni Takes UniMAC Students Inside Undercover Journalism

Award-winning journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has given students of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) a rare glimpse into the world of investigative reporting, sharing the secrets behind his most famous exposes.

The Editor-in-Chief of The Fourth Estate spoke to journalism students across Levels 100, 200, and 300, breaking down what really goes into digging up stories that shake the nation.

According to Awuni, there is a huge difference between everyday news reporting and serious investigative work. He told the students that simply reporting what you see is not enough – real investigation requires going deeper, following leads, and sometimes going undercover to uncover the truth.

Using examples from his own career, he walked the students through the art of undercover reporting. He explained that when you are investigating someone, you should let things happen naturally rather than trying to stage events. He described how a journalist could blend in as an ordinary worker to get close to a corrupt official, or hang around and observe a target in their everyday surroundings to gather evidence.

He also stressed the importance of gathering solid evidence, whether through recordings or documents, and making sure you have proof before you go public with any story.

Awuni told the students that story ideas can come from many places. He mentioned “tip-offs” from people who trust you, social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok, and even official reports from bodies like the Auditor-General’s Department. He encouraged the students to read widely and keep their eyes open, because a good story can come from anywhere.

He also emphasised that your sources are everything in investigative journalism. Without credible people and documents to back you up, your story will not hold water. He reminded the students that journalists are not experts in every field, but they can always turn to experts for help with complex issues.

The session formed part of the faculty’s ongoing efforts to give students practical exposure to the realities of the profession.

Awuni, known for breaking the SML scandal and several other major stories, encouraged the young journalists to start building their contacts early and take their work seriously. He told them that in journalism, what you can do matters more than the certificates you hold.