Follow the Money: The Podcast

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

Salsabil Fayed, an investigative reporter, and Alistair Keepe, co-author of a revealing investigation, uncover how U.S. funding shapes European policymaking through influential Brussels think tanks. They discuss the surprising fact that a third of these think tanks' funding comes from American sources, raising concerns about bias and influence. The duo shares insights on the hybrid nature of think tanks, the implications of political shifts for funding perceptions, and the need for greater transparency to protect the integrity of policy discussions.

Thomas Bollen, a journalist and author known for his insightful examination of the banking industry, discusses the hidden mechanics of money and its societal impact. He reflects on how the 2008 financial crisis reshaped his understanding of banking, emphasizing the interconnectedness that led to systemic failures. Bollen highlights the issues of inequality exacerbated by quantitative easing and critiques the promise of cryptocurrencies, revealing how big players have co-opted their original intent. He advocates for a digital euro as safe public money and explores the balance between privacy and banking data.

Simon van Dorpe, a competition policy expert, dives into the EU's antitrust battle against Google's digital dominance. He discusses how Google's aggressive lobbying tactics complicate regulatory efforts. The duo reveals how Google's 'tyranny of default' and its 2008 DoubleClick acquisition have fortified its market power. They highlight why consumers should care about privacy and targeted ads, and whether the EU can really break up this tech giant amid potential U.S. pushback. The conversation underscores that the fate of Google may hinge more on politics than law.

Lorenzo Bagnoli, a Milan-based reporter who led the investigation into a Libyan detention center, discusses the troubling case of Osema Habish Najim Almasri, a war criminal released by Italy just 48 hours after his arrest. He reveals the alleged atrocities linked to Almasri, including torture and murder. Bagnoli explains Italy's prioritization of migration politics over international justice, the EU's muted reaction, and the implications for the ICC's authority. He also outlines potential future shifts in both Libyan and Italian judicial landscapes.

Manon Stravens, an investigative journalist, exposes the dark underbelly of Morocco's phosphate industry, focusing on the state-owned giant OCP. She discusses environmental and health hazards due to pollution, including toxic emissions and a shocking rate of dental fluorosis in local communities. Manon recounts her harrowing experiences while reporting, including surveillance and security threats. The podcast also highlights the tension between Morocco's economic role in global markets and the humanitarian costs borne by its people.

Sebastiaan Brommersma, a reporter and investigator for Follow the Money, delves into alarming findings about the tech company Zivver, which supposedly safeguards sensitive health data. He reveals that Zivver can access private messages and discusses its acquisition by Kiteworks, a firm linked to former Israeli spies, raising national security concerns. The conversation explores U.S. laws like the Cloud Act, potential misuse of data, and the implications for digital sovereignty in Europe. Brommersma emphasizes a worrying loss of control over European citizens' data.

In this insightful discussion, investigative reporter Simon van Dorpe, who co-authored a key NATO corruption investigation, shares chilling findings that emerged from cross-border reporting. He reveals the unexpected drop of US charges against four suspects shortly after high-profile arrests, suggesting possible political interference. The conversation dives into the mechanics of kickback schemes in defense contracting and explores Turkey's role in the scandal. Listeners will grasp the wider implications for global anti-corruption efforts and the troubling reliance on US investigations by European nations.

Jesse Pinster, an investigative journalist focused on Hungarian politics, delves into Viktor Orbán's controversial dealings. He reveals how EU funds and state assets are funneled to Orbán’s cronies, highlighting the troubling trend of cronyism shaping Hungary. Jesse discusses the privatization of the defense industry to allies, the opacity that conceals favoritism, and EU struggles to enforce compliance. He also underscores the timing of these asset transfers, especially ahead of elections, which accelerates the pattern of political favoritism.

Olivier van Beemen, an investigative journalist known for his insights on African parks and conservation, dives into a controversial EU-funded project in Congo led by a Belgian prince. He uncovers how over €157 million was spent, revealing setbacks like Bitcoin mining in the rainforest. Van Beemen critiques the militarized protection of wildlife, sheds light on local conflicts, and discusses how colonial legacies influence perceptions of the prince's management. The podcast raises ethical questions about funding and conservation in a fraught context.