I never had the chance to watch legendary investigative journalist Roger Cook on television. I can only imagine how exciting it must have been to join 12 million Brits in switching on his show, The Cook Report, each week to see criminal schemes exposed and unknown scandals revealed by a journalist who knocked on doors himself to ask the tough questions.
When I discovered old episodes of this primetime ITV staple on YouTube some 30 years later, I found the stories to be as compelling as ever. Each show was incredibly informative and featured entertaining storytelling that served the public interest.
The Fearless Approach of Roger Cook
As an investigative journalist, I understand how difficult it can be to craft stories that are both compelling and complex. Yet, Cook seemed to do it with ease, whether he was exposing a gangster in a Spanish tourist resort, unpicking an investment scam, or confronting criminals involved in big-game hunting.
What made his investigations so powerful was that he didn't just present facts from static, talking-head interviews. The investigations were dynamic; he rigged cars with trackers, got them stolen by serial thieves, and even got a fake pop song into the charts.
The Right of Reply
But what I really loved about his shows is that he always sought to get answers from the people involved directly, in person, and on camera. Cook fronted up the villains his show exposed, often with quite dramatic results. At a minimum, insults were hurled; often, punches were thrown, and in one memorable episode, plates of food went flying.
We shouldn't just focus on the bravery involved in confronting people whom most citizens would cross the road to avoid. This elevation of the right of reply was a powerful demonstration of a principle that all journalists can heed. We must always try to get a response from the people we investigate, no matter how hard it is.
A Lesson in Journalism
The way Cook conducted these difficult encounters was also a journalistic lesson. He didn't badger or berate; he simply presented the facts in a way that let the subjects expose themselves. Long before Louis Theroux was being heralded for his subtle approach, Cook was providing a lesson in handling far more challenging situations with grace and precision.
Honouring His Legacy
As you can tell from the title, my regular YouTube video series, The Express Report, is an homage to his legacy. Watching his programmes inspired me to create a show that puts serious investigative journalism, shoe-leather reporting, and a direct right of reply at its heart. I firmly believe the mainstream audience that loved his show still wants this type of journalism, and I intend to give it to them.
I was deeply saddened to hear of his death, but I hope that through our show, we can honour his memory.
