Investigate Europe

As 2024 comes to a close, we're reflecting on some of the most impactful projects we’ve published this year at Investigate Europe. From public health to political accountability, our team has worked hard to uncover stories that matter. Here's a look back at our top stories 👇 🔺 Ahead of the #EUElections, we published a series of stories looking at some of the critical campaign issues. This included revelations of how France, Netherlands and other member states secretly lobbied for stricter laws in the new #Migration Pact: https://lnkd.in/dTCf2zEx 🔺 The series also explored the rise of far-right parties across #Europe, looking at their success in rural areas. The findings were published with media partners around the continent, including with RTP, Portugal’s national broadcaster: https://lnkd.in/d5bDX8pE 🔺 #Deadlyprices, one of our biggest investigation to date, uncovered the disparity in access to #medicines across Europe, detailing the opaque world of price negotiations between the pharmaceutical industry and member states: https://lnkd.in/dbQ-9pM4 🔺 The investigation also revealed how patients in parts of Central and Eastern Europe are often charged significantly higher prices (or unable to access altogether) for life-saving #cysticfibrosis medications: https://lnkd.in/dfhFcEku 🔺 The #Deadlyprices series, which also exposed industry conflicts of interest and Big Pharma’s reliance on tax havens, was published with 25 media partners in 20 countries. Among them Süddeutsche Zeitung in Germany with this report: https://lnkd.in/e-r58xck 🔺 In September, our Brussels team revealed how the European Commission had failed to enforce its laws, with member states avoiding sanctions for dozens of court-ruled breaches of EU law: https://lnkd.in/dgsazJf6 🔺The story - Infringement cold cases: member states left unpunished for dozens of EU law violations - was published with media partners across Europe, including with broadcaster ARTE in France and Germany: https://lnkd.in/dviwe9WZ 🔺Our latest investigation shows how Rheinmetall, a leading German defence firm, exploits legal loopholes to sell ammunition factories worldwide — bypassing German export controls: https://lnkd.in/dvZur4_u 🤝 Your support, readership, and engagement make our #investigative #journalism possible: https://lnkd.in/dRQeC8gz

🚨 Arming the world: Rheinmetall’s secretive ammunition factory program Over the last decade, Rheinmetall has established itself as a giant in the global defence industry. #Germany’s leading arms company is a major supplier to #Ukraine and regularly promotes its business with NATO nations. Its public profile was amplified in the summer after it became a ‘Champion Partner’ of Bundesliga football club Borussia Dortmund. But the company is involved in many more deals than its corporate communications would have you believe.   Rheinmetall has quietly built a parallel business, one where its clients rarely feature in its press releases. Through a subsidiary in #SouthAfrica, the company has been discreetly supplying ammunition factories and machinery to customers far beyond the confines of NATO. Among the known clients are states that are linked to extensive human rights abuses and that supply ammunition to Russia. Significantly, the deals are free from German export regulations. Our newest investigation examines this secretive business, revealing new business deals conducted by the company via its little-known South African operation. The findings are published with media partners including ZEIT ONLINE (Germany), Partizán (Hungary), TPI - The Post Internazionale (Italy), infoLibre.es (Spain) and PT Tempo Inti Media Tbk (Indonesia). Read the full investigation here 👉 https://lnkd.in/dvZur4_u #InvestigativeJournalism #PublicService #RheinMetall

🗞️ Eight years of holding power accountable Investigate Europe was founded in 2016 with a bold vision: to deliver cross-border, high-quality investigative #journalism that transcends national borders and exposes the structures that shape Europe. Over the years, we have investigated systemic problems, held powerful organizations to account, and given a voice to those who need it. What makes us unique? ✅ Collaborative research with expert reporters from across #Europe. ✅ Commitment to journalism in the public interest, free from shareholder influence. ✅ Active participation in networks such as the Reference - the European Independent Media Circle, the Global Investigative Journalism Network and the Collaborative and Investigative Journalism Initiative (#CIJI) – all dedicated to strengthening independent journalism. With your support, we can keep exposing the stories that shape Europe and ensure public-interest journalism continues to thrive.   👉 https://lnkd.in/dRQeC8gz

Portugal is recognised as a global benchmark for #pressfreedom, renowned for its commitment to #transparency. However, despite this prominent role, the country faces significant internal challenges that threaten the strength and independence of its #media landscape. Today, our colleague Paulo Pena will participate in the launch of Liberdade de Imprensa em #Portugal e na Europa (Press Freedom in Portugal and Europe), a book that explores these crucial issues. The publication features insights from leading Portuguese journalists and experts, including Valentina Marcelino & fernanda câncio from Diário de Notícias, TERESA PIZARRO BELEZA, and José António Barreiros. 📅 17 Dec - 17:00 🏛 Assembleia da República, Palácio de São Bento, Lisbon 📌 https://lnkd.in/dzhGbWF8

UK universities are cutting ties with #fossilfuel giants after years of student and staff campaigning. According to People & Planet, over 75% of UK universities have pledged to divest, collectively pulling €21.4 billion out of oil and gas investments. 👀 https://lnkd.in/dwhjA4nd Yet, our joint investigation with openDemocracy reveals a concerning trend: despite these pledges, 60 UK universities accepted at least €170 million in fossil fuel funding between 2016 and 2023. Across Europe, major players like Shell, BP, and Eni poured a staggering €260 million into academic institutions during the same period. 👉 Full investigation here: https://lnkd.in/drS7pNKf #InvestigativeJournalism #PublicService

As we wrap up the year, we reflect on the work behind and the #impact of our most significant stories. Our #Deadlyprices investigation, one of the largest we’ve undertaken, has exposed the inequalities in #medicine pricing across #Europe and sparked real change in the form of public debates, shifts in policy and contributing to the fight for equal access to life-saving medications. 🔎 Read more: http://bit.ly/3DjoOzd Investigations like these take an enormous amount of time, energy, collaboration and resources. Donations made by readers like you will ensure that we can continue to uncover the stories that make a difference. This is why we would personally like to ask you, from all of us at Investigate Europe, to support our independent #journalism. 👉 https://lnkd.in/dRQeC8gz Thank you for your continued support! Together, let's make 2025 an even more impactful year.

🔍 Help us to become better! 📊 Your opinion is crucial for shaping the future of our investigative journalism. Take our short #survey and share your thoughts on our content, style, and topics. What works? What can we do better? 👉 https://lnkd.in/dTHHGpiE Thank you for being part of the Investigate Europe community! #InvestigativeJournalism #PublicService #Audience

We support Ariane Lavrilleux at Disclose, who will appear in a Paris court in January over her investigation into a secret French military operation in Egypt. Ariane has faced alarming intimidation and surveillance from authorities for her reporting. ✊ https://lnkd.in/dh5jw-34 #MediaFreedom

🌎 LIVE event: Post-COP29 - "Green investments", really? Register for this event organised by Voxeurop and 2° Investing Initiative on Friday 6 December at 14:30 CET! Investigative journalists stefano valentino and Giorgio Michalopoulos will give a behind-the-scenes look at their award-winning and months-long research on this topic. 🗣️Guests: stefano valentino Giorgio Michalopoulos Nicola Stefan Koch Moderated by Catherine A. and Gian-Paolo Accardo 📅 Friday, 6 December 🕒 14:30 CET 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dbr3rvtJ

We support Ariane Lavrilleux at Disclose, who will appear in a Paris court in January over her investigation into a secret French military operation in Egypt. Ariane has faced alarming intimidation and surveillance from authorities for her reporting. ✊ https://lnkd.in/dh5jw-34 #MediaFreedom