Reply #2: We have to pay not only salaries, but expenses

[arendt]

Investigations cost money.

You have to send researchers to archives.
You may have to pay for subject-matter experts in arcane specialties.
These days, you may have to pay for forensic computer experts.
You have to pay for travel and lodging.
Above all, you have to pay for information or access to it.

My guess is that, including reporters salaries and benefits,
and some kind of defensive liability coverage, it could
easily cost upwards of $250,000/year to keep one investigation
going.

But, if only 2,500 people were interested in a topic, that would
be enough.

There are examples already out there. Look at what the 911
wives (Jersey Girls) are doing.

arendt