Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, such as serious crimes, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. It involves systematic, in-depth, and original research and reporting that often exposes secrets. Investigative journalists may spend months or even years researching and preparing a report, and they use both secret and open sources and documents. The goal of investigative journalism is to bring influential individuals, officials, criminals, companies, and states accountable for their activities and to promote the public interest by conducting in-depth investigations and reporting on injustices. Investigative journalism is distinct from other types of journalism because it relies on the journalists own enterprise and initiative to unearth more facts and provide something new and previously unknown. It is a profoundly democratic practice founded on truth, freedom, and fairness.