Follow the Money: The Podcast

How Russian oligarchs are suing Ukraine in wartime

info@ftm.nl ( Follow the Money ) — Wed, 1 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000

In the midst of war, Russian oligarchs are suing Ukraine – not in Moscow, not in Kyiv, but through European trade treaties and arbitration courts in Washington. What might sound like a legal technicality is actually part of a powerful global mechanism known as ISDS, which allows corporations to sue governments for billions over lost profits. Journalists Alistair Keepe and Hans Wetzels take us inside this opaque system, revealing how it quietly shapes public policy on a global scale.

Big Tobacco shows Big Alcohol how to lobby

info@ftm.nl ( Follow the Money ) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Alcohol and tobacco are both linked to serious disease, yet the industries have spent decades casting doubt on the risks. Journalist Irene van den Berg revealed how cigarette giants invested heavily in treatment for smoking-related conditions and funded scientific research to widen their influence. Just months later, she uncovered how Big Booze has used the same playbook as Big Tobacco to downplay growing public health concerns.

Special: Our toxic obsession with the US

info@ftm.nl ( Follow the Money ) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000

How not to save the planet

info@ftm.nl (Ties Gijzel, Mira Sys) — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Carbon credits are marketed as a simple solution to climate change: companies can offset CO₂ by funding green initiatives such as forest protection and tree planting. Yet many of these offsets have been exposed as ineffective at cutting emissions, or even harmful. Follow the Money reporters Mira Sys and Ties Gijzel explain how this market really works – and why we shouldn’t bank on it to protect our planet.

Who’s the man aiming to oust Orbán?

info@ftm.nl ( Follow the Money ) — Wed, 4 Mar 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Hungary is heading into a pivotal election. After 16 years in power, Viktor Orbán faces his most serious challenger yet. Péter Magyar emerged out of the blue and quickly transformed himself into the face of the opposition. But who is he really? Hungarian journalist Patrik Galavits traces the rise of the man expected to become the country’s next premier – and explains what that could mean for Hungary and Europe. Related stories ➪ https://www.ftm.eu/articles/orban-main-rival-hungary-brussels-elections-no-trust-just-yet Follow the podcast https://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcast Follow FTM on social media: Instagram ➪ https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/ BlueSky ➪ https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.eu LinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/ TikTok ➪ https://www.tiktok.com/@ftm_eu Become a member and support independent investigative journalism! https://www.ftm.eu/become-member

The lottery scandal that shook Brussels

info@ftm.nl (Simon Van Dorpe, Alexander Fanta, Emma du Chatinier) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000

As the European Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders was tasked with defending the rule of law across the EU. But days after leaving office, his home was raided as part of a money laundering probe. Journalist Simon Van Dorpe unpacks the story of one of Europe’s most influential politicians – and his fall from grace. Related stories ➪ https://www.ftm.eu/articles/reynders-charged-in-money-laundering-probe https://www.ftm.eu/articles/didier-reynders-ally-target-corruption-probe https://www.ftm.eu/articles/reynders-money-laundering-what-we-know-so-far https://www.ftm.eu/articles/european-commissioner-didier-reynders-investigated-for-alleged-fraud Follow the podcast https://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcast Follow FTM on social media: Instagram ➪ https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/ BlueSky ➪ https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.eu LinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/ TikTok ➪ https://www.tiktok.com/@ftm_eu Become a member and support independent investigative journalism! https://www.ftm.eu/become-member

The EU's lost battle over media power

info@ftm.nl (Alexander Fanta) — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Before Hungarian premier Viktor Orbán dismantled Hungary’s independent press, before media tycoons conglomerated power across Europe, there was a chance to stop it all. Our podcast goes behind the scenes of an investigation that found secret letters and lobbying that killed a plan to protect Europe’s media.

European money pushes Cambodians into despair

info@ftm.nl (Emma du Chatinier, Alexander Fanta, Leila Goldstein) — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Microloans were meant to lift people out of poverty. But in Cambodia, they’ve pushed families into crushing debt – and in some cases, even to suicide. Reporters Leila Goldstein and Phon Sothyroth travelled across the country to investigate how European development institutions helped fuel a system that profits from desperation. Content warning: This episode discusses suicide.

How we tracked soldiers on Tinder

Wed, 4 Feb 2026 05:00:00 +0000

Soldiers are no strangers to danger. But what if they’re putting themselves, and national security, at risk by swiping on Tinder? Journalists Dimitri Tokmetzis, Sebastiaan Brommersma, and Martijn Reuvers revealed how data from Tinder can be used to track where soldiers are and even find out where they live.

See you in 2026!

info@ftm.nl ( Follow the Money ) — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 12:00:00 +0000

We’re taking a short podcast break and will be back early next year! Got any tips, feedback, or comments? Email us at emma.du.chatinier@ftm.eu Related stories ➪ https://www.ftm.eu/articles/bitcoin-mining-in-congo-rainforest-thanks-to-eu https://www.ftm.eu/articles/europe-health-data-us-firm-israel-spies https://www.ftm.eu/articles/google-antitrust-eu-us-regulators? Follow the podcast https://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcast Follow FTM on social media: Instagram ➪ https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/ BlueSky ➪ https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.eu LinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/ TikTok ➪ https://www.tiktok.com/@ftm_eu Become a member and support independent investigative journalism! https://www.ftm.eu/become-member

Europe’s second-hand clothing crisis

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Donating old clothes or buying second-hand is widely seen as eco-friendly. Yet an FTM investigation reveals a more complicated – and polluting – reality. Journalists Helena Rodríguez Gómez, Raluca Besliu, and Vittoria Torsello tracked clothes donated across the EU. The garments travelled thousands of kilometres, passed through special economic zones, and in some cases even returned to Europe – exposing an industry in deep crisis. 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 ➪ https://www.ftm.eu/articles/europe-second-hand-clothes-trade-carbon-emissions 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 https://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcast 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗙𝗧𝗠 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮: Instagram ➪ https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/ BlueSky ➪ https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.eu LinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/ TikTok ➪ https://www.tiktok.com/@ftm_eu 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺! https://www.ftm.eu/become-member

The hidden U.S. influence on Europe’s policymaking

info@ftm.nl (Alistair Keepe, Salsabil Fayed, Alexander Fanta, Emma du Chatinier) — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Think tanks present themselves as neutral institutions shaping Europe’s policy debates. But an investigation by FTM paints a different picture. Journalists Salsabil Fayed, Alistair Keepe and Ada Homolova found that Brussels’ most influential think tanks receive a third of their funding from U.S. sources – from philanthropists to major tech firms. This gives American interests a little-known but significant foothold in the EU’s policy arena.

Plenty of money (but not for you)

info@ftm.nl (Thomas Bollen) — Wed, 3 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Money shapes nearly every part of our lives, but few of us understand how it really works. In his upcoming book Plenty of Money (But Not for You), journalist Thomas Bollen exposes the hidden machinery of money, and the power wielded by commercial banks. His research demonstrates why real reform has stalled, and what it would take to regain control of the financial system.

EU vs Google: The battle for the internet

info@ftm.nl ( Follow the Money ) — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Google is under growing pressure from EU regulators, who are considering breaking up the tech giant over its market dominance. An investigation by FTM revealed how the company’s controversial business strategies helped it cement its grip on the internet. Journalists Alexander Fanta and Simon Van Dorpe explain how Brussels set its sights on Google – and why the U.S. may block efforts to dismantle one of the world’s most influential companies. Related stories ➪ https://www.ftm.eu/articles/google-antitrust-eu-us-regulators Follow the podcast https://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcast Follow FTM on social media: Instagram ➪ https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/ BlueSky ➪ https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.eu LinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/ TikTok ➪ https://www.tiktok.com/@ftm_eu Become a member and support independent investigative journalism! https://www.ftm.eu/become-member

The Libyan war crimes suspect released by Italy

info@ftm.nl ( Follow the Money ) — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000

When Italy arrested an alleged Libyan war criminal wanted for torture and crimes against humanity earlier this year, it made international headlines. Forty-eight hours later, Osema Habish Najim Almasri was flown home as a free man. Lorenzo Bagnoli and Paolo Riva reveal how migration politics seem to have trumped international justice.

The dark side of Morocco's mining boom

info@ftm.nl ( Follow the Money ) — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Phosphate minerals from Morocco are essential for producing fertiliser and the batteries that power electric vehicles. But local communities say that the world’s biggest exporter – the state-owned OCP – is causing pollution and harming their health. Despite concerns about the government’s attempts to stifle the media, journalist Manon Stravens travelled to Morocco to uncover OCP’s toxic trail.

Europeans' health data in ex-Israeli spies' hands

info@ftm.nl ( Follow the Money ) — Wed, 5 Nov 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Tech company Zivver promised Europe it would keep its health and legal data safe. But FTM journalists Sebastiaan Brommersma and Siem Eikelenboom reveal how the company can in fact access private messages, and how that data came in reach of a U.S. company led by former Israeli spies. Related stories ➪ https://www.ftm.eu/articles/europe-health-data-us-firm-israel-spies Follow the podcast https://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcast Follow FTM on social media: Instagram ➪ https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/ BlueSky ➪ https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.eu LinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/ TikTok ➪ https://www.tiktok.com/@ftm_eu Become a member and support independent investigative journalism! https://www.ftm.eu/become-member

Inside the NATO corruption schandal

info@ftm.nl (Simon Van Dorpe, Emma du Chatinier, Jesse Pinster, Alexander Fanta) — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 05:00:00 +0000

A NATO corruption scandal made international headlines when several suspects were arrested across Europe earlier this year. But a cross-border investigation reveals that just a few months later, the United States quietly dropped charges against four of them – despite strong evidence. FTM journalists Jesse Pinster and Simon Van Dorpe reveal how one of NATO’s most important members seems to have given up on cracking down on corruption. Related stories ➪ https://www.ftm.eu/articles/us-drops-case-in-nato-corruption-scandal https://www.ftm.eu/articles/the-network-behind-the-nato-corruption-scandal Follow the podcast https://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcast Follow FTM on social media: Instagram ➪ https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/ BlueSky ➪ https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.eu LinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/ TikTok ➪ https://www.tiktok.com/@ftm_eu Become a member and support independent investigative journalism! https://www.ftm.eu/become-member

How Orbán funnels Hungary’s assets to his allies

info@ftm.nl (Alexander Fanta, Emma du Chatinier, Jesse Pinster) — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 04:00:00 +0000

As Europe ramps up its defence spending, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has handed over his country’s entire defence industry to a trusted business ally. Journalist Jesse Pinster uncovers how EU money and state assets are being funnelled into the hands of Orbán’s inner circle — continuing a pattern of cronyism that’s reshaped Hungary over the past decades. Despite growing concerns in Brussels, the EU still struggles to hold one of its most troublesome members to account.

A Belgian prince’s parade in Congo

info@ftm.nl (Olivier van Beemen, Emma du Chatinier, Alexander Fanta) — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 04:00:00 +0000

A Belgian prince is running a conservation project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, financed by millions in European aid. Journalist Olivier van Beemen reveals how more than 150 million euros in European funding ended up powering a failed conservation dream – and even Bitcoin mining in the rainforest. Related stories ➪ https://www.ftm.eu/articles/bitcoin-mining-in-congo-rainforest-thanks-to-eu https://www.ftm.eu/articles/belgian-prince-in-congo Follow the podcast https://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcast Follow FTM on social media: Instagram ➪ https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/ BlueSky ➪ https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.eu LinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/ Become a member and support independent investigative journalism! https://www.ftm.eu/become-member

European money is fueling the global spyware industry

info@ftm.nl (Vas Panagiotopoulos, Emma du Chatinier, Alexander Fanta) — Wed, 8 Oct 2025 04:00:00 +0000

A stranger reading your messages, tracking your movements, scrolling through your photos. That's what spyware can do – without you even knowing. It’s marketed as a tool to fight terrorism and crime, but it’s also used to silence journalists, activists, and political opponents. Greek journalist Vas Panagiotopoulos reveals how the EU and national governments give public funds to companies behind this powerful surveillance technology linked to human rights abuses and political repression. The same firms accused of helping authoritarian regimes are cashing in on European taxpayer money. Related stories ➪ https://www.ftm.eu/articles/spyware-industry-eu-subsidies-surveillance-concers Follow the podcast https://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcast Follow FTM on social media: Instagram ➪ https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/ BlueSky ➪ https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.eu LinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/ Become a member and support independent investigative journalism! https://www.ftm.eu/become-member

Why Europe can’t stop Nestlé's false health claims

info@ftm.nl (Emma du Chatinier, Alexander Fanta, Irene van den Berg) — Wed, 1 Oct 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Health supplements are booming. Pills, powders, and gummies promise to make us fitter, stronger, and younger – and the industry is worth billions. But a Follow the Money investigation by Irene van den Berg and Mathilde de Jeu uncovered that nearly half of these products carry claims that aren’t allowed under EU rules. Still, Nestlé, Unilever, and other food giants keep them on the shelves, exploiting loopholes and weak regulation. Meanwhile, they profit twice: first from unhealthy foods, then from the supplements that supposedly undo the damage.

European companies are plundering Senegal’s seas

info@ftm.nl (Hans Wetzels, Emma du Chatinier, Alexander Fanta, Remy Käller) — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000

In Senegal, fishing is the backbone of the economy. But local fishermen’s nets are coming back empty. Journalists Hans Wetzels and Remy Käller discovered how European fishing companies are plundering Senegal’s seas through joint ventures that let them fly Senegalese flags – while profits flow back to Europe. With livelihoods disappearing, many young Senegalese see no other option but to migrate to Europe in search of a future. Related stories ➪ https://www.ftm.eu/articles/eu-fishing-companies-are-emptying-senegalese-seas-stealing-the-country-s-future?share=R8mVZs9n0RedJE%2BkDD6LFd4Xomu6npuxbPYO79eykzsSQJfuqmT%2BgPrhcpCePFw%3D Follow the podcast https://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcast Follow FTM on social media: Instagram ➪ https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/ BlueSky ➪ https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.eu LinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/ Become a member and support independent investigative journalism! https://www.ftm.eu/become-member

Meloni's €70 million migration fiasco

info@ftm.nl (James Imam, Emma du Chatinier, Alexander Fanta) — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000

When Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni ran her election campaign in 2022, she promised a bold solution to Italy’s migration challenges: building offshore migrant centres in Albania. The hubs should process asylum seekers abroad. But three years later, the reality looks very different. The hubs stand half-empty, construction costs have spiraled, and courts have thrown up roadblocks at every turn.

We’re joined by Milan-based journalist James Imam, who uncovered how Meloni’s flagship project turned into a costly fiasco – and why Brussels still praises it as a model for the future.

Content warning: This episode contains references to suicide, which some listeners may find distressing.

Von der Leyen’s secret texts with Pfizer

info@ftm.nl (Alexander Fanta, Lise Witteman, Emma du Chatinier) — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Commission struck a multi-billion-euro deal with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer for vaccine doses. In preparations to the deal, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen texted with the company’s CEO, Albert Bourla. But when journalist Alexander Fanta requested access to those messages, the Commission refused – and they have still never seen the light of day. In this episode, we are joined by journalist Lise Witteman to unpack Pfizergate: the scandal that has dogged von der Leyen’s presidency. Related stories ➪ https://www.ftm.eu/articles/new-york-times-lawsuit-european-commission https://www.ftm.eu/articles/ursula-von-der-leyen-text-messages https://www.ftm.eu/articles/who-is-suing-von-der-leyen https://www.ftm.eu/articles/pfizergate-hearing-eu-general-court https://www.ftm.eu/articles/eu-signal-group-confirmed-transparency-rules https://www.ftm.eu/articles/interview-eu-court-sms-von-der-leyen https://www.ftm.eu/articles/pfizergate-ruling-general-court-eu https://www.ftm.eu/articles/pfizergate-text-messages-deleted-after-access-request Follow the podcast https://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcast Follow FTM on social media: Instagram ➪ https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/ BlueSky ➪ https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.eu LinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/ Become a member and support independent investigative journalism! https://www.ftm.eu/subscribe

A billionaire’s hidden empire built on coal and post cards

info@ftm.nl (Sofia Cherici, Hazel Sheffield, Emma du Chatinier, Alexander Fanta) — Wed, 3 Sep 2025 04:00:00 +0000

You probably have never heard of him, but he’s one of Europe’s most influential billionaires: Daniel Křetínský, a Czech businessman who built his fortune on coal – all the while receiving hundreds of millions of euros for green subsidies from the EU. In this episode, investigative journalists Hazel Sheffield and Sofia Cherici unpick Křetínský’s vast empire: from fossil fuels and biomass plants to media outlets, supermarkets, postal services, and even football clubs. They’re diving into how, away from scrutiny, one Czech man holds Europe’s vital services in his grip. Related stories ➪ https://www.ftm.eu/articles/largest-coal-miner-europe-green-subsidies Follow the podcast https://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcast Follow FTM on social media: Instagram ➪ https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/ BlueSky ➪ https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.eu LinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/ Become a member and support independent investigative journalism! https://www.ftm.eu/subscribe

How Europe’s largest party made an enemy out of NGOs

info@ftm.nl ( Follow the Money ) — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Europe’s most powerful political party has picked an unexpected enemy: NGOs. After it claimed Brussels was secretly bankrolling green lobbyists, journalists Lise Witteman and Hans Wetzels of Follow the Money found a very different story. Their investigation shows how the European People’s Party has cast NGOs into convenient scapegoats as it backpedals on the Green Deal. Related stories ➪ ftm.eu/articles/civil-society-shrinking-space-europe Follow the podcast https://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcast Follow FTM on social media: Instagram ➪ https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/ BlueSky ➪ https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.eu LinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/ Become a member and support independent investigative journalism! https://www.ftm.eu/subscribe Follow Lise Witteman BlueSky: @lise-witteman.bsky.social‬

Bottled lies: Europe’s wine industry is tainted by fraud

info@ftm.nl ( Follow the Money ) — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

The bottle of wine on your dinner table might not be what it claims. Journalists Barnaby Eales and Dominique Mesmin took a deep dive into how fraudsters sold millions of litres of Spanish bulk wine, passing them off as more prestigious French labels. With climate change disrupting harvests, this kind of fraud may only become more common. Related stories ➪ https://www.ftm.eu/articles/as-climate-change-worsens-wine-frauds-seize-the-opportunity?share=IQJbSlF4axrHL4zkx6KxabYtZxS4Eutb6VDMgyzyW%2Fe6PUWjpgF0E0rOl7rPva0%3D Follow the podcast https://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcast Follow FTM on social media: Instagram ➪ https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/ BlueSky ➪ https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.eu LinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/ Become a member and support independent investigative journalism! https://www.ftm.eu/subscribe

The corporate campaign to weaken Europe’s fight against forever chemicals

info@ftm.nl (Emma du Chatinier, Thomas Goorden, Alexander Fanta) — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

It’s in our food, wine and water: Rising levels of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) – a type of “forever chemical” linked to serious health problems – are causing alarm in Europe. Yet when Brussels revised its drinking water law and regulated the toxic substances, high concentrations of TFA were ultimately overlooked. Journalist and physicist Thomas Goorden reveals how the chemical industry downplayed the risks of TFA, and how its lobbying efforts appear to have swayed the European Commission into diluting the vital legislation. Related stories ➪ https://www.ftm.eu/articles/pollution-crisis-threatens-europe-lobbyists-sway-brussels Follow the podcast https://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcast Follow FTM on social media: Instagram ➪ https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/ BlueSky ➪ https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.eu LinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/ Become a member and support independent investigative journalism! https://www.ftm.eu/subscribe

How a vulture capitalist quietly took over Europe’s festival scene

Tue, 5 Aug 2025 04:00:00 +0000

U.S. investment giant KKR has quietly bought up major European music festivals like Sónar and Sziget. Investigative journalists Henk Willem Smits, Salsabil Fayed, Nick de Jager, and Remy Koens have uncovered ties between KKR and Israel-linked firms, including controversial projects in the occupied Palestinian territories. As outrage grows over Israel’s war in Gaza, artists and festivalgoers are pushing back. They accuse the private equity firm of putting profits over the community spirit and cultural values that have long defined such events. Related stories ➪https://www.ftm.eu/articles/private-equity-buys-festivals https://www.ftm.eu/articles/brett-christophers-asset-manager-society Follow the podcasthttps://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcast Follow FTM on social media: Instagram ➪ https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/ BlueSky ➪ https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.eu LinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/ Become a member and support independent investigative journalism! https://www.ftm.eu/subscribe Follow Henk Willem SmitsBlueSky: @henkwillem.bsky.social‬ Follow Salsabil Fayed BlueSky: @salsabilfayed.bsky.social

The Western oil tankers that fund Putin's war

info@ftm.nl (Emma du Chatinier, Alexander Fanta, Birte Schohaus) — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 04:00:00 +0000

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russia has generated over 900 billion euros from fossil fuel exports – funds that have helped sustain its military aggression. To circumvent Western sanctions on oil trade, it had to build a ‘shadow fleet’ of hundreds of old oil vessels.

Led by Follow the Money’s Birte Schohaus, Jesse Pinster and Dimitri Tokmezis, an international team of investigative reporters has followed the money trail of the shadow fleet. They revealed – amongst others – that Western shipowners have profited significantly, earning over 6 billion dollars from the sale of oil tankers to Russia’s shadow fleet.

https://www.ftm.eu/articles/infrastructure-northsea-european-companies-russian-mapping

https://www.ftm.eu/articles/north-sea-3-interview-with-christian-bueger

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Inside the Huawei corruption scandal that rocked Brussels

info@ftm.nl (Simon Van Dorpe, Emma du Chatinier, Alexander Fanta) — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 04:00:00 +0000

The Huawei corruption scandal has cast a long shadow over Brussels. Several individuals have been charged over allegations that lobbyists for the Chinese tech giant bribed Members of the European Parliament. Investigative journalists Simon Van Dorpe, Alexander Fanta and Lisanne van Vucht have revealed exactly how Huawei’s lobbying campaign in the EU went rogue – and shed light on the man accused of pulling the strings. After Qatargate rocked Brussels in 2022, this latest bribery probe raises fresh questions about whether the EU is doing enough to root out fraud and corruption. Related stories ➪ https://www.ftm.eu/articles/how-huawei-lobbying-campaign-in-europe-went-rogue https://www.ftm.eu/articles/huaweis-eu-bribery-scheme-exposed https://www.ftm.eu/articles/huawei-lobbyist-bragged-about-corruption-office Follow the podcast https://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcast Follow FTM on social media: Instagram ➪ https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/ BlueSky ➪ https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.eu LinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/ Become a member and support independent investigative journalism! https://www.ftm.eu/subscribe Follow Alexander Fanta BlueSky: alexfanta.bsky.social Follow Simon Van Dorpe BlueSky: simonvandorpe.bsky.social

Shein’s toxic business model

info@ftm.nl (Emma du Chatinier, Alexander Fanta, Yara van Heugten) — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 07:34:29 +0000

Millions of people across Europe buy their clothes on the fast fashion app Shein. But the Chinese company’s aggressive tactics for recruiting users have attracted the attention of European regulators. Investigative journalists Yara van Heugten and Alexander Fanta looked into this ultra-fast fashion firm that is dreaming of entering the stock market. They cut through the smoke and mirrors behind this fashion mogul’s flashy claims and found that behind the dazzling numbers, cracks are starting to show – and Shein may be losing its shine.