Specific Features in Investigative Journalism in Regard to the Activities of State Corporation on Environmental Issues in the Context of ESG Practices

Today, the media are considered to be the fourth power. Modern media fulfill the functions of public control and, in most cases, activator of discussion of existing problems at the level of society, as well as at the state and even international levels. To realize the function of control, the media use investigative journalism. This activity of a journalist is recognized as not only the most difficult but also effective. The genre of investigative journalism does not lose its demand and popularity. Because of the current public interest in ecology, investigative journalism about environmental crimes is more in demand than ever. By investigating violations of companies in the environmental sphere, journalists increase public outcry, which stimulates discussions of environmental issues at the international level. The paper offers an analysis of the characteristics of investigative journalism on public corporations in environmental matters in the context of ESG practices. The analysis is based on case studies of regions that have experienced critical environmental conditions due to companies' activities. In order to understand the changes in the companies' activities after environmental violations, the paper further analyzes ESG-reports of the company's eco-events.