AJC Investigations Reveal Corruption and Abuse Across Georgia's Public Institutions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a long history of impactful investigative reporting that has led to significant changes in public policy and accountability. Notable investigations include the 2016 series "Doctors and Sex Abuse," which exposed how medical professionals who sexually abused patients were often allowed to continue their practices. This series utilized advanced data analysis and was recognized with the Phil Meyer Award and as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Another major investigation began in 2008 when AJC reporters uncovered cheating in Atlanta Public Schools, revealing that nearly 180 employees were involved, with 35 indicted. In 1988, the AJC's "The Color of Money" investigation highlighted racial disparities in mortgage lending, resulting in banking reforms and over $70 million in commitments for Black neighborhoods. Additionally, the AJC has reported extensively on prison corruption and violence in recent years, prompting the state to allocate significant funding to address these issues. The legacy of investigative journalism in Atlanta includes the pioneering work of Jack Nelson, whose investigations into the Milledgeville State Hospital in 1959 led to reforms in mental health care. The AJC continues to play a vital role in holding public officials accountable and exposing injustices, demonstrating the enduring importance of investigative reporting in fostering transparency and reform.
