Investigation Reveals U.S. Government’s Significant Influence on OCCRP’s Operations
A joint investigation released on Monday uncovered the deep financial and structural ties between the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and the U.S. government. While OCCRP claims to operate independently, it heavily relies on U.S. government funding, particularly from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. This financial dependence raises questions about the influence of the U.S. in the organization’s editorial choices.
OCCRP, which operates globally with headquarters in Washington, Amsterdam, and Sarajevo, is the world’s largest investigative media network, comprising 70 media members and 50 partners, including prominent outlets like The New York Times and Der Spiegel. The investigation, led by Mediapart, Drop Site News, Il Fatto Quotidiano, Reporters United, and German broadcaster NDR, reveals that the U.S. reportedly provides about half of OCCRP’s budget, with the power to veto key staff appointments. This has raised concerns about transparency and the organization’s editorial independence.
The investigation further highlights that OCCRP often targets countries considered to be of strategic interest to the U.S., such as Russia, Malta, and Venezuela. Despite acknowledging U.S. funding on its website, OCCRP does not fully disclose the details or conditions of this support to the public or its media partners. In fact, articles produced under U.S. funding often fail to mention this financial backing, raising questions about potential biases in their investigative work.
