Causes to Celebrate: International Consortium of Investigative Journalists

People in power seem bent on abusing that power far more often than they are seen using that power for good ends.  Often they perpetuate systems and ideas that benefit them to the detriment of those of us who have little in the way of power in the world.  And while it would be a nice fiction to believe that all people in the world are truly altruistic in nature, sadly there is far more evidence to the contrary.  But when it comes to speaking truth to power, there are few ways that this can be done.  In the past there were great wars and revolutions that did a great deal to change the status quo, but ultimately those who have power have retained it--often illegally or by outright lying.  And while we have a robust legal system, this has also, often, been gamed to benefit those in power rather than serving the needs of the people of the world.  So where, then, can we turn?  Where can we seek redress to the ills and harms that have befallen us through no fault of our own?  I present to you once more the media, and one non-profit organization in particular: the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

From tax evasion to medical malpractice, the ICIJ has been speaking truth to power for nearly 24 years.  In 2017 they split from the foundation that started them to form this non-profit in the hopes that they could have a broader reach and a larger impact.

Their stories have uncovered a hidden world of grift, cheating, kidnapping, extortion, and money laundering that spans the globe, and it isn't easy work.  Often the reporters on the ground are putting their lives in danger, and those who bring leaks to the organization may be party to reprisals should their involvement be found out.  And because this is an organization run by journalists, the information and the stories that they provide to the rest of the local, national, and international media have been vetted and investigated thoroughly.  This dedication to the truth has garnered them several awards, including the coveted Pulitzer Prize for their Panama Papers Project.

Here is just one example of some of the work they're doing to help inform the public about the work they do:

While much of their work remains behind the scenes, evidence of their findings have prompted several countries to hold hearings to make law breakers accountable.  And while sadly we have seen little in the way of fallout from some of their work, there have been modest gains with the implementation of new laws, court cases, and access to information that was and has been hidden.  Having that information is an invaluable tool and resource to the world, and it is one of the many reasons that I believe the work these journalists are doing is so important.

As I stated previously this week, we often forget the details and that is to our own detriment.  So having sources of information available to us that we and the media can use to hold the powerful accountable--at least in the eyes of the public, if not the courts or the legislature, is immensely powerful itself.

What I find saddest about their work is that much of it goes unreported here in America and in the mainstream media, which is why I keep an eye on their work and read over it from time to time to gain insights that might not otherwise be available.  And that is why I am calling attention to their work today in the hope that you'll take a look at it for yourself, as well.  Because I truly do believe that the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists is a cause worth celebrating.