Journalism serves many noble purposes. It informs the public, explains complex phenomena and systemic injustices, and places a check on power. Good reporting spurs change, and as the calendar turns, news outlets typically ask for a round of applause (and some money) with self-congratulatory retrospectives that mention something about saving democracy.
Never mind all that. We want to talk about something less virtuous: the sheer animal pleasure of the exclusive.
For many of us ink-stained wretches, scoops are bragging rights and the sweet, sinful satisfaction of gossip. The endorphin rush is the same feeling your cat displays when she presents a fresh catch on your doormat—the more disgusting, the better. Come and whisper in our ear. We love dirty laundry.
WW had its fair share of scoops this year, and in the pages that follow, you’ll see 10 of our favorites, along with updates on what occurred after we published. In several instances, those updates include reforms spurred by our work, outcomes that wouldn’t have been possible without the disinfecting power of a free press. But also: dirt!