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The Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) recently announced that ousted Syrian Leader Bashar al-Assad was Person of the Year.
President William Ruto of Kenya received a historic number of nominations accounting for 40,000 of the 55,000 total nominations.
Brief history
OCCRP was founded in 2006 by Drew Sullivan and Paul Radu, who initially collaborated during an International Center for Journalists training in Bulgaria in 2003.
Their early work focused on cross-border investigative journalism, particularly regarding organised crime and corruption in Eastern Europe and Eurasia.
The first major initiative they undertook was the Power Brokers Project, which aimed to expose corrupt business practices in the Balkans.
In 2012, OCCRP registered as a non-profit under the name Journalism Development Network (JDN), allowing it to expand its operations and network of journalists.
As of late 2024, OCCRP boasts over 150 journalists working across more than 30 countries, establishing itself as a significant force in investigative journalism.
Funding
OCCRP's funding structure has raised questions about its independence, particularly regarding its connections with the U.S. government.
A joint investigation revealed that since its inception, OCCRP has received substantial financial support from various U.S. government agencies.
The first significant funding came in May 2008 when the U.S. provided $1.7 million to support OCCRP's initiatives.
By 2023, it was reported that approximately 70% of OCCRP's annual budget was sourced from government funding, with the U.S. alone contributing around 52% of this amount.
This financial dependency has led to concerns about potential influences on OCCRP's editorial independence, as significant funding from a government could theoretically affect the organisation's priorities and reporting.
Drew Sullivan has acknowledged this concern, stating that while the U.S. is a major donor, he believes that government funding is necessary for impactful investigative journalism in regions where corruption is prevalent.
He emphasised the need to balance such funding with efforts to maintain editorial independence.
OCCRP's funding comes from a diverse array of sources:
U.S. Government: Approximately $47 million since inception, with significant yearly contributions.
European Union: Around $1.1 million.
Other European Countries: Including $7 million from Britain and $4 million from Sweden, among others.
Foundations and Individual Donors: OCCRP also receives funds from various philanthropic organisations which contribute to its operational costs2348.
Despite the reliance on government funding, Sullivan has expressed a commitment to reducing this dependency over time to safeguard OCCRP's mission of independent investigative reporting24.
In summary, while OCCRP has established itself as a critical player in global investigative journalism focusing on organised crime and corruption, its financial ties with the U.S. government have sparked discussions about the implications for its independence and journalistic integrity.