Follow the Money: The Podcast

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.Related stories ➪https://www.ftm.eu/articles/following-toxic-trail-morocco-phosphate-giantFollow the podcasthttps://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcastFollow FTM on social media:Instagram ➪  https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/BlueSky  ➪  https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.euLinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/TikTok ➪ https://www.tiktok.com/@ftm_euBecome a member and support independent investigative journalism!https://www.ftm.eu/become-member

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

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

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 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

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

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.

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

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. Related stories ➪https://www.ftm.eu/articles/meloni-s-migration-centres-costs-the-italian-taxpayer?share=SQ8CUqkpvHGT8zViJlwbBjTGWYtHq7XROzYmWTUqCSBkIgM4eKoqchogVNxq%2BvM%3DFollow the podcasthttps://www.ftm.eu/podcast/follow-the-money-the-podcastFollow FTM on social media:Instagram ➪  https://www.instagram.com/followthemoney_eu/BlueSky  ➪  https://bsky.app/profile/ftm.euLinkedIn ➪ https://www.linkedin.com/company/follow-the-money-eu/Become a member and support independent investigative journalism!https://www.ftm.eu/become-member

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

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

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

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

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