Truth and Transparency: Undercover Investigations in the Twenty-First Century

Undercover investigators have been both celebrated and derided for their role in political speech and transparency. Truth and Transparency by Alan K. Chen and Justin Marceau examines this duality, providing a socio-legal context for understanding the varying views on undercover investigations. The book defines the practice, distinguishes it from investigative journalism and whistleblowing, and offers a comprehensive legal history. It explores the public need for investigations and the rights of investigators, highlighting the importance of investigations beyond constitutional protection. The book provides empirical evidence of broad bipartisan support for undercover investigations, advocating for their essential role in a thriving democracy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Undercover investigators have been hailed as vital conduits of political speech and steadfast guardians of transparency, yet they have also faced criticism for their perceived intrusiveness and resemblance to spies. In their book, Truth and Transparency, Alan K. Chen and Justin Marceau delve into this dichotomy, aiming to provide a socio-legal framework for understanding the diverse perspectives on undercover investigations. The book offers a clear definition of undercover investigations, distinguishes them from investigative journalism and whistleblowing, and presents a comprehensive legal history. Chapters explore the rationale behind the public's demand for investigations and the rights of investigators, particularly in cases where constitutional protection may not apply. Furthermore, the book provides concrete empirical evidence of widespread bipartisan support for undercover investigations, advocating for their role as an indispensable component of a thriving democracy.
Undercover investigators have been celebrated as critical conduits of political speech and essential protectors of transparency. They have also been derided as intrusive and spy-like, inconsistent with private property rights, and morally or ethically questionable. In Truth and Transparency, Alan K. Chen and Justin Marceau rigorously examine this duality and seek to provide a socio-legal context for understanding these varying views. The book concretely defines undercover investigations, distinguishes the practice from investigative journalism and whistleblowing, and provides a comprehensive legal history. Chapters explore the public need for investigations and the rights of investigators, paying close attention to the types of investigations that fall beyond the scope of constitutional protection. The book also provides concrete empirical evidence of the broad, bipartisan support for undercover investigations and champions the practice as an essential com-ponent of the transparency our democracy needs to thrive.

Undercover investigators have been hailed as vital conduits of political speech and essential protectors of transparency. They have also been derided as intrusive and spy-like, inconsistent with private property rights, and morally or ethically questionable. In Truth and Transparency, Alan K. Chen and Justin Marceau delve into this dichotomy, aiming to provide a socio-legal framework for understanding the diverse perspectives on undercover investigations. The book offers a clear definition of undercover investigations, distinguishes them from investigative journalism and whistleblowing, and presents a comprehensive legal history. Chapters explore the rationale behind the public's demand for investigations and the rights of investigators, particularly in cases where constitutional protection may not apply. Furthermore, the book provides concrete empirical evidence of widespread bipartisan support for undercover investigations, advocating for their role as an indispensable component of a thriving democracy.

Undercover investigators have been celebrated as critical conduits of political speech and essential protectors of transparency. They have also been derided as intrusive and spy-like, inconsistent with private property rights, and morally or ethically questionable. In Truth and Transparency, Alan K. Chen and Justin Marceau rigorously examine this duality and seek to provide a socio-legal context for understanding these varying views. The book concretely defines undercover investigations, distinguishes the practice from investigative journalism and whistleblowing, and provides a comprehensive legal history. Chapters explore the public need for investigations and the rights of investigators, paying close attention to the types of investigations that fall beyond the scope of constitutional protection. The book also provides concrete empirical evidence of the broad, bipartisan support for undercover investigations and champions the practice as an essential com-ponent of the transparency our democracy needs to thrive.

Undercover investigators have been celebrated as critical conduits of political speech and essential protectors of transparency. They have also been derided as intrusive and spy-like, inconsistent with private property rights, and morally or ethically questionable. In Truth and Transparency, Alan K. Chen and Justin Marceau delve into this dichotomy, aiming to provide a socio-legal framework for understanding the diverse perspectives on undercover investigations. The book offers a clear definition of undercover investigations, distinguishes them from investigative journalism and whistleblowing, and presents a comprehensive legal history. Chapters explore the rationale behind the public's demand for investigations and the rights of investigators, paying close attention to the types of investigations that fall beyond the scope of constitutional protection. The book also provides concrete empirical evidence of the broad, bipartisan support for undercover investigations and champions the practice as an essential com-ponent of the transparency our democracy needs to thrive.

Weight: 434g
ISBN-13: 9781108725422