A form of *investigative journalism in which the journalist conceals their identity while secretly gathering information, often with a hidden camera. This can include infiltrating a group, taking on a role to uncover evidence of discrimination, or going undercover to expose criminal activity.

Undercover report can be a powerful tool to uncover hidden truths and injustice, but it requires significant planning and preparation, careful research, and a willingness to use deception. It is also a dangerous practice and raises important ethical and safety issues.

In this article, Brooke Kroeger argues that much of the most valuable journalism over the past century and a half has been rooted in undercover investigations that employ subterfuge or deception to bring hard-to-penetrate institutions and social situations to the public’s attention. Her call for a reconsideration of this oft-maligned journalistic practice serves as a rallying cry for a critically important aspect of investigative reporting.

She outlines how journalists should consider the moral and legal implications of going undercover before deciding to do so, including considering whether it would be ethically appropriate to take a bed in a mental health institution or elderly care facility when that bed might be required by someone requiring genuine care, or to engage in any other illegal activity. Journalists should also ensure that their undercover work is confined to a limited amount of time, and that the results are included in an overall report alongside supporting material gathered through traditional methods.