follow the money

Summer series | Hungarys hotline to the Kremlin Viktor Orbán has drawn Hungary increasingly close to Russia. But what has been happening behind closed doors between the Hungarian government and Moscow? Investigative network VSquare obtained recordings and transcripts of calls between Hungarys foreign minister and senior Russian officials, offering a rare glimpse into Hungary-Russia relations and the conversations taking place away from public view. In the final episode of Follow the Moneys summer podcast series, Emma du Chatinier and Lise Witteman speak with VSquare co-founder and investigative journalist Anna Gielewska. She explains how journalists across Central Europe began investigating the spread of Orbáns political model and why Russian influence kept appearing in their reporting. Its a story that sounds like a spy thriller, but actually played out across Central Europe.

Summer series | Hungarys hotline to the Kremlin Viktor Orbán has drawn Hungary increasingly close to Russia. But what has been happening behind closed doors between the Hungarian government and Moscow? Investigative network VSquare obtained recordings and transcripts of calls between Hungarys foreign minister and senior Russian officials, offering a rare glimpse into Hungary-Russia relations and the conversations taking place away from public view. In the final episode of Follow the Moneys summer podcast series, Emma du Chatinier and Lise Witteman speak with VSquare co-founder and investigative journalist Anna Gielewska. She explains how journalists across Central Europe began investigating the spread of Orbáns political model and why Russian influence kept appearing in their reporting. Its a story that sounds like a spy thriller, but actually played out across Central Europe.

Summer series | Hungarys hotline to the Kremlin Viktor Orbán has drawn Hungary increasingly close to Russia. But what has been happening behind closed doors between the Hungarian government and Moscow? Investigative network VSquare obtained recordings and transcripts of calls between Hungarys foreign minister and senior Russian officials, offering a rare glimpse into Hungary-Russia relations and the conversations taking place away from public view. In the final episode of Follow the Moneys summer podcast series, Emma du Chatinier and Lise Witteman speak with VSquare co-founder and investigative journalist Anna Gielewska. She explains how journalists across Central Europe began investigating the spread of Orbáns political model and why Russian influence kept appearing in their reporting. Its a story that sounds like a spy thriller, but actually played out across Central Europe.

Summer series | Hungarys hotline to the Kremlin Viktor Orbán has drawn Hungary increasingly close to Russia. But what has been happening behind closed doors between the Hungarian government and Moscow? Investigative network VSquare obtained recordings and transcripts of calls between Hungarys foreign minister and senior Russian officials, offering a rare glimpse into Hungary-Russia relations and the conversations taking place away from public view. In the final episode of Follow the Moneys summer podcast series, Emma du Chatinier and Lise Witteman speak with VSquare co-founder and investigative journalist Anna Gielewska. She explains how journalists across Central Europe began investigating the spread of Orbáns political model and why Russian influence kept appearing in their reporting. Its a story that sounds like a spy thriller, but actually played out across Central Europe.

Summer series | Hungarys hotline to the Kremlin Viktor Orbán has drawn Hungary increasingly close to Russia. But what has been happening behind closed doors between the Hungarian government and Moscow? Investigative network VSquare obtained recordings and transcripts of calls between Hungarys foreign minister and senior Russian officials, offering a rare glimpse into Hungary-Russia relations and the conversations taking place away from public view. In the final episode of Follow the Moneys summer podcast series, Emma du Chatinier and Lise Witteman speak with VSquare co-founder and investigative journalist Anna Gielewska. She explains how journalists across Central Europe began investigating the spread of Orbáns political model and why Russian influence kept appearing in their reporting. Its a story that sounds like a spy thriller, but actually played out across Central Europe.

Summer series | Exposing a pro-Russian disinformation network Disinformation campaigns are no longer built around a single false claim or suspicious account. Hundreds of profiles can push the same message simultaneously, creating the illusion of widespread public support. But how can journalists tell the difference between a genuine political movement and a coordinated influence operation? Romanian investigative newsroom Context.ro has built its own software to uncover such networks. During Moldovas 2025 elections – a crucial vote that pitted closer ties with Europe against Russian influence – its journalists identified a massive pro-Moscow propaganda drive. Emma and Lise speak to investigative journalist Attila Biro, co-founder of Context.ro. He explains how the outlet looked beyond individual posts to map the wider infrastructure – from TikTok and Telegram to an anonymously distributed newspaper and crypto payments. Biro also discusses how journalists distinguish content that performs well organically from popularity that has been artificially manufactured – and why that matters more than ever: We need to stop seeing this simply as disinformation and start treating it as a matter of defence. Our digital space is under attack, and we need to defend it.

Summer series | Exposing a pro-Russian disinformation network Disinformation campaigns are no longer built around a single false claim or suspicious account. Hundreds of profiles can push the same message simultaneously, creating the illusion of widespread public support. But how can journalists tell the difference between a genuine political movement and a coordinated influence operation? Romanian investigative newsroom Context.ro has built its own software to uncover such networks. During Moldovas 2025 elections – a crucial vote that pitted closer ties with Europe against Russian influence – its journalists identified a massive pro-Moscow propaganda drive. Emma and Lise speak to investigative journalist Attila Biro, co-founder of Context.ro. He explains how the outlet looked beyond individual posts to map the wider infrastructure – from TikTok and Telegram to an anonymously distributed newspaper and crypto payments. Biro also discusses how journalists distinguish content that performs well organically from popularity that has been artificially manufactured – and why that matters more than ever: We need to stop seeing this simply as disinformation and start treating it as a matter of defence. Our digital space is under attack, and we need to defend it.

Summer series | Exposing a pro-Russian disinformation network Disinformation campaigns are no longer built around a single false claim or suspicious account. Hundreds of profiles can push the same message simultaneously, creating the illusion of widespread public support. But how can journalists tell the difference between a genuine political movement and a coordinated influence operation? Romanian investigative newsroom Context.ro has built its own software to uncover such networks. During Moldovas 2025 elections – a crucial vote that pitted closer ties with Europe against Russian influence – its journalists identified a massive pro-Moscow propaganda drive. Emma and Lise speak to investigative journalist Attila Biro, co-founder of Context.ro. He explains how the outlet looked beyond individual posts to map the wider infrastructure – from TikTok and Telegram to an anonymously distributed newspaper and crypto payments. Biro also discusses how journalists distinguish content that performs well organically from popularity that has been artificially manufactured – and why that matters more than ever: We need to stop seeing this simply as disinformation and start treating it as a matter of defence. Our digital space is under attack, and we need to defend it.

Summer series | Exposing a pro-Russian disinformation network Disinformation campaigns are no longer built around a single false claim or suspicious account. Hundreds of profiles can push the same message simultaneously, creating the illusion of widespread public support. But how can journalists tell the difference between a genuine political movement and a coordinated influence operation? Romanian investigative newsroom Context.ro has built its own software to uncover such networks. During Moldovas 2025 elections – a crucial vote that pitted closer ties with Europe against Russian influence – its journalists identified a massive pro-Moscow propaganda drive. Emma and Lise speak to investigative journalist Attila Biro, co-founder of Context.ro. He explains how the outlet looked beyond individual posts to map the wider infrastructure – from TikTok and Telegram to an anonymously distributed newspaper and crypto payments. Biro also discusses how journalists distinguish content that performs well organically from popularity that has been artificially manufactured – and why that matters more than ever: We need to stop seeing this simply as disinformation and start treating it as a matter of defence. Our digital space is under attack, and we need to defend it.

Summer series | Investigating the killing of journalists in Gaza Hundreds of Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza – making it the deadliest conflict for reporters in decades. Were their deaths an inevitable consequence of Israels war, or has the media been deliberately targeted? As part of the Gaza Project, dozens of journalists from around the world joined forces to investigate the killings. Emma and Lise speak to Frederik Obermaier, co-founder of the Munich-based German investigative newsroom Paper Trail Media, who was involved in the reporting. He also led a follow-up investigation into allegations that an Israeli soldier of German origin shot unarmed civilians in Gaza. Obermaier discusses the resistance he faced reporting on these issues in Germany, where coverage of Israel and Palestine is particularly sensitive. The Holocaust puts a certain obligation on Germany and also on the German population. Whenever we see allegations of war crimes, I think its our duty as journalists to investigate.

Summer series | Investigating the killing of journalists in Gaza Hundreds of Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza – making it the deadliest conflict for reporters in decades. Were their deaths an inevitable consequence of Israels war, or has the media been deliberately targeted? As part of the Gaza Project, dozens of journalists from around the world joined forces to investigate the killings. Emma and Lise speak to Frederik Obermaier, co-founder of the Munich-based German investigative newsroom Paper Trail Media, who was involved in the reporting. He also led a follow-up investigation into allegations that an Israeli soldier of German origin shot unarmed civilians in Gaza. Obermaier discusses the resistance he faced reporting on these issues in Germany, where coverage of Israel and Palestine is particularly sensitive. The Holocaust puts a certain obligation on Germany and also on the German population. Whenever we see allegations of war crimes, I think its our duty as journalists to investigate.

Summer series | Investigating the killing of journalists in Gaza Hundreds of Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza – making it the deadliest conflict for reporters in decades. Were their deaths an inevitable consequence of Israels war, or has the media been deliberately targeted? As part of the Gaza Project, dozens of journalists from around the world joined forces to investigate the killings. Emma and Lise speak to Frederik Obermaier, co-founder of the Munich-based German investigative newsroom Paper Trail Media, who was involved in the reporting. He also led a follow-up investigation into allegations that an Israeli soldier of German origin shot unarmed civilians in Gaza. Obermaier discusses the resistance he faced reporting on these issues in Germany, where coverage of Israel and Palestine is particularly sensitive. The Holocaust puts a certain obligation on Germany and also on the German population. Whenever we see allegations of war crimes, I think its our duty as journalists to investigate.

Summer series | Investigating the killing of journalists in Gaza Hundreds of Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza – making it the deadliest conflict for reporters in decades. Were their deaths an inevitable consequence of Israels war, or has the media been deliberately targeted? As part of the Gaza Project, dozens of journalists from around the world joined forces to investigate the killings. Emma and Lise speak to Frederik Obermaier, co-founder of the Munich-based German investigative newsroom Paper Trail Media, who was involved in the reporting. He also led a follow-up investigation into allegations that an Israeli soldier of German origin shot unarmed civilians in Gaza. Obermaier discusses the resistance he faced reporting on these issues in Germany, where coverage of Israel and Palestine is particularly sensitive. The Holocaust puts a certain obligation on Germany and also on the German population. Whenever we see allegations of war crimes, I think its our duty as journalists to investigate.

Summer series | Investigating the killing of journalists in Gaza Hundreds of Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza – making it the deadliest conflict for reporters in decades. Were their deaths an inevitable consequence of Israels war, or has the media been deliberately targeted? As part of the Gaza Project, dozens of journalists from around the world joined forces to investigate the killings. Emma and Lise speak to Frederik Obermaier, co-founder of the Munich-based German investigative newsroom Paper Trail Media, who was involved in the reporting. He also led a follow-up investigation into allegations that an Israeli soldier of German origin shot unarmed civilians in Gaza. Obermaier discusses the resistance he faced reporting on these issues in Germany, where coverage of Israel and Palestine is particularly sensitive. The Holocaust puts a certain obligation on Germany and also on the German population. Whenever we see allegations of war crimes, I think its our duty as journalists to investigate.

From a fish to the fall of Lithuanias PM Last year, Lithuanian journalist Šarūnas Černiauskas began investigating his prime ministers finances. What started as a seemingly small story soon grew into a series of scandals. The government turned against Černiauskas and his colleagues – but they persevered: their reporting ultimately helped force the prime minister to step down. And yet, that wasnt the end of the story. Emma and Lise speak to Černiauskas about the corruption uncovered around EU funds, and how frighteningly quickly a democracy can begin to backslide: Assaults on democracy, theyre going to happen. They are happening now. And solidarity is the only antidote."

From a fish to the fall of Lithuanias PM Last year, Lithuanian journalist Šarūnas Černiauskas began investigating his prime ministers finances. What started as a seemingly small story soon grew into a series of scandals. The government turned against Černiauskas and his colleagues – but they persevered: their reporting ultimately helped force the prime minister to step down. And yet, that wasnt the end of the story. Emma and Lise speak to Černiauskas about the corruption uncovered around EU funds, and how frighteningly quickly a democracy can begin to backslide: Assaults on democracy, theyre going to happen. They are happening now. And solidarity is the only antidote."

From a fish to the fall of Lithuanias PM Last year, Lithuanian journalist Šarūnas Černiauskas began investigating his prime ministers finances. What started as a seemingly small story soon grew into a series of scandals. The government turned against Černiauskas and his colleagues – but they persevered: their reporting ultimately helped force the prime minister to step down. And yet, that wasnt the end of the story. Emma and Lise speak to Černiauskas about the corruption uncovered around EU funds, and how frighteningly quickly a democracy can begin to backslide: Assaults on democracy, theyre going to happen. They are happening now. And solidarity is the only antidote."

From a fish to the fall of Lithuanias PM Last year, Lithuanian journalist Šarūnas Černiauskas began investigating his prime ministers finances. What started as a seemingly small story soon grew into a series of scandals. The government turned against Černiauskas and his colleagues – but they persevered: their reporting ultimately helped force the prime minister to step down. And yet, that wasnt the end of the story. Emma and Lise speak to Černiauskas about the corruption uncovered around EU funds, and how frighteningly quickly a democracy can begin to backslide: Assaults on democracy, theyre going to happen. They are happening now. And solidarity is the only antidote."

From a fish to the fall of Lithuanias PM Last year, Lithuanian journalist Šarūnas Černiauskas began investigating his prime ministers finances. What started as a seemingly small story soon grew into a series of scandals. The government turned against Černiauskas and his colleagues – but they persevered: their reporting ultimately helped force the prime minister to step down. And yet, that wasnt the end of the story. Emma and Lise speak to Černiauskas about the corruption uncovered around EU funds, and how frighteningly quickly a democracy can begin to backslide: Assaults on democracy, theyre going to happen. They are happening now. And solidarity is the only antidote."

From a fish to the fall of Lithuanias PM Last year, Lithuanian journalist Šarūnas Černiauskas began investigating his prime ministers finances. What started as a seemingly small story soon grew into a series of scandals. The government turned against Černiauskas and his colleagues – but they persevered: their reporting ultimately helped force the prime minister to step down. And yet, that wasnt the end of the story. Emma and Lise speak to Černiauskas about the corruption uncovered around EU funds, and how frighteningly quickly a democracy can begin to backslide: Assaults on democracy, theyre going to happen. They are happening now. And solidarity is the only antidote."

Summer series | Profits, not politics, behind AI hate boom Persecution, corruption, and even murder. In this summer series, Emma du Chatinier and Lise Witteman unpack recent groundbreaking stories by fellow journalists from across Europe. How did their investigations impact society? And what does their journalism reveal about the state of European democracy? In this episode: Journalist Niamh McIntyre went deep into the world of hateful content on social media, investigating the people posting so-called AI slop. She was shocked: many of the creators were not at all what you might expect. And some werent even aware that the videos they were profiting from were racist or Islamophobic. Emma and Lise speak to Niamh about the rise of AI-generated misinformation, the financial incentives driving its creation, and how Meta is to blame. These content creators arent an anomaly. Theyre producing the internet that Big Tech companies and AI companies want.

Summer series | Profits, not politics, behind AI hate boom Persecution, corruption, and even murder. In this summer series, Emma du Chatinier and Lise Witteman unpack recent groundbreaking stories by fellow journalists from across Europe. How did their investigations impact society? And what does their journalism reveal about the state of European democracy? In this episode: Journalist Niamh McIntyre went deep into the world of hateful content on social media, investigating the people posting so-called AI slop. She was shocked: many of the creators were not at all what you might expect. And some werent even aware that the videos they were profiting from were racist or Islamophobic. Emma and Lise speak to Niamh about the rise of AI-generated misinformation, the financial incentives driving its creation, and how Meta is to blame. These content creators arent an anomaly. Theyre producing the internet that Big Tech companies and AI companies want.

Summer series | Profits, not politics, behind AI hate boom Persecution, corruption, and even murder. In this summer series, Emma du Chatinier and Lise Witteman unpack recent groundbreaking stories by fellow journalists from across Europe. How did their investigations impact society? And what does their journalism reveal about the state of European democracy? In this episode: Journalist Niamh McIntyre went deep into the world of hateful content on social media, investigating the people posting so-called AI slop. She was shocked: many of the creators were not at all what you might expect. And some werent even aware that the videos they were profiting from were racist or Islamophobic. Emma and Lise speak to Niamh about the rise of AI-generated misinformation, the financial incentives driving its creation, and how Meta is to blame. These content creators arent an anomaly. Theyre producing the internet that Big Tech companies and AI companies want.

Summer series | Profits, not politics, behind AI hate boom Persecution, corruption, and even murder. In this summer series, Emma du Chatinier and Lise Witteman unpack recent groundbreaking stories by fellow journalists from across Europe. How did their investigations impact society? And what does their journalism reveal about the state of European democracy? In this episode: Journalist Niamh McIntyre went deep into the world of hateful content on social media, investigating the people posting so-called AI slop. She was shocked: many of the creators were not at all what you might expect. And some werent even aware that the videos they were profiting from were racist or Islamophobic. Emma and Lise speak to Niamh about the rise of AI-generated misinformation, the financial incentives driving its creation, and how Meta is to blame. These content creators arent an anomaly. Theyre producing the internet that Big Tech companies and AI companies want.

Summer series | Profits, not politics, behind AI hate boom Persecution, corruption, and even murder. In this summer series, Emma du Chatinier and Lise Witteman unpack recent groundbreaking stories by fellow journalists from across Europe. How did their investigations impact society? And what does their journalism reveal about the state of European democracy? In this episode: Journalist Niamh McIntyre went deep into the world of hateful content on social media, investigating the people posting so-called AI slop. She was shocked: many of the creators were not at all what you might expect. And some werent even aware that the videos they were profiting from were racist or Islamophobic. Emma and Lise speak to Niamh about the rise of AI-generated misinformation, the financial incentives driving its creation, and how Meta is to blame. These content creators arent an anomaly. Theyre producing the internet that Big Tech companies and AI companies want.

Summer series | They killed the journalist, but not the story Persecution, corruption, and even murder. In this summer series, Emma du Chatinier and Lise Witteman unpack recent groundbreaking stories by fellow journalists from across Europe. How did their investigations impact society? And what does their journalism reveal about the state of European democracy? In this episode: Slovak investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée – archeologist Martina Kušnírová – were murdered in their home in 2018. Kuciak was investigating high-level corruption, including alleged connections to people around Prime Minister Robert Fico. After his death, journalists across Slovakia picked up the work Kuciak had been unable to finish. Their revelations, together with mass protests, even brought down the government. Emma and Lise speak with Lukáš Diko, editor-in-chief of the Investigative Center of Ján Kuciak, about what the murder meant for Slovakia, and for the journalists who continued to follow Kuciaks trail. We never could have imagined that one of us could have been killed because of journalistic work.

Summer series | They killed the journalist, but not the story Persecution, corruption, and even murder. In this summer series, Emma du Chatinier and Lise Witteman unpack recent groundbreaking stories by fellow journalists from across Europe. How did their investigations impact society? And what does their journalism reveal about the state of European democracy? In this episode: Slovak investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée – archeologist Martina Kušnírová – were murdered in their home in 2018. Kuciak was investigating high-level corruption, including alleged connections to people around Prime Minister Robert Fico. After his death, journalists across Slovakia picked up the work Kuciak had been unable to finish. Their revelations, together with mass protests, even brought down the government. Emma and Lise speak with Lukáš Diko, editor-in-chief of the Investigative Center of Ján Kuciak, about what the murder meant for Slovakia, and for the journalists who continued to follow Kuciaks trail. We never could have imagined that one of us could have been killed because of journalistic work.

Summer series | They killed the journalist, but not the story Persecution, corruption, and even murder. In this summer series, Emma du Chatinier and Lise Witteman unpack recent groundbreaking stories by fellow journalists from across Europe. How did their investigations impact society? And what does their journalism reveal about the state of European democracy? In this episode: Slovak investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée – archeologist Martina Kušnírová – were murdered in their home in 2018. Kuciak was investigating high-level corruption, including alleged connections to people around Prime Minister Robert Fico. After his death, journalists across Slovakia picked up the work Kuciak had been unable to finish. Their revelations, together with mass protests, even brought down the government. Emma and Lise speak with Lukáš Diko, editor-in-chief of the Investigative Center of Ján Kuciak, about what the murder meant for Slovakia, and for the journalists who continued to follow Kuciaks trail. We never could have imagined that one of us could have been killed because of journalistic work.

Summer series | They killed the journalist, but not the story Persecution, corruption, and even murder. In this summer series, Emma du Chatinier and Lise Witteman unpack recent groundbreaking stories by fellow journalists from across Europe. How did their investigations impact society? And what does their journalism reveal about the state of European democracy? In this episode: Slovak investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée – archeologist Martina Kušnírová – were murdered in their home in 2018. Kuciak was investigating high-level corruption, including alleged connections to people around Prime Minister Robert Fico. After his death, journalists across Slovakia picked up the work Kuciak had been unable to finish. Their revelations, together with mass protests, even brought down the government. Emma and Lise speak with Lukáš Diko, editor-in-chief of the Investigative Center of Ján Kuciak, about what the murder meant for Slovakia, and for the journalists who continued to follow Kuciaks trail. We never could have imagined that one of us could have been killed because of journalistic work.

Summer series | They killed the journalist, but not the story Persecution, corruption, and even murder. In this summer series, Emma du Chatinier and Lise Witteman unpack recent groundbreaking stories by fellow journalists from across Europe. How did their investigations impact society? And what does their journalism reveal about the state of European democracy? In this episode: Slovak investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée – archeologist Martina Kušnírová – were murdered in their home in 2018. Kuciak was investigating high-level corruption, including alleged connections to people around Prime Minister Robert Fico. After his death, journalists across Slovakia picked up the work Kuciak had been unable to finish. Their revelations, together with mass protests, even brought down the government. Emma and Lise speak with Lukáš Diko, editor-in-chief of the Investigative Center of Ján Kuciak, about what the murder meant for Slovakia, and for the journalists who continued to follow Kuciaks trail. We never could have imagined that one of us could have been killed because of journalistic work.