Investigative journalism at risk from ‘corporate timidity’, says Tina Brown

Widow of ex-editor Harry Evans runs foundation supporting original reportage, which is holding first event this week

“Corporate timidity” is undermining investigative journalism as news outlets reduce spending on original reporting in favour of material that is cheaper to produce, Tina Brown has warned.

The former Vanity Fair editor said investors like the idea of winning prizes for original reporting but when they go into board meetings “they look at the numbers and go ‘let’s just cut it’.” Her comments come as outlets such as BuzzFeed and Vice are slashing the size of their newsrooms despite winning plaudits for their work.