This paper resorts to a literature review to cover 100 years of investigative journalism his-tory, focusing on the concept by choosing journalistic investigation as the prime embodiment of high-quality journalism, providing a broad perspective on the topic. Resuming the debate on the differences between investigative journalism and day-to-day journalism, which still creates rifts among the journalistic class, but also within academia, this article dismisses the all-encompassing view that all journalism is investigative. By assessing the impact of external factors, such as the market and technology, on the ma-trix of the investigative journalism concept, this analysis seeks to identify potential solutions that can sustain the watchdog role associated with investigative journalism. As such, this paper delves into the new frontiers of investigative journalism, simultane-ously highlighting the potential of digital technology to keep powers under scrutiny in an increas-ingly complex world; create collaborative networks among journalists that expand the scope and enhance the impact of published stories; foster partnerships between media organisations, non-profit organisations and universities; and find long overdue solutions to ensure that investigative journalism reaches peripheral territories, where it still has an utterly marginal presence.