Soros, sanctions, propaganda: How the US government secretly controls the ‘world’s largest investigative journalism organization’

A collaborative investigation by France's Mediapart, along with media outlets from the US, Italy, and Greece, has exposed a significant relationship between the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and the US government. This revelation challenges the perceived independence of OCCRP, known as the world's largest investigative journalism network, and raises questions about the integrity and direction of its reporting.

Since its inception in 2008, OCCRP has received substantial financial backing from the US government, totaling at least $47 million. This amount constitutes more than half of the organization's budget, making the US its primary donor. This financial relationship has sparked debate over the influence Washington might have on OCCRP's editorial decisions. Drew Sullivan, the co-founder and publisher of OCCRP, has openly acknowledged the importance of US government funding, expressing gratitude for the support in an interview with NDR.

The US government's influence extends beyond mere funding. It holds veto power over key personnel decisions at OCCRP, including the appointment of senior editorial staff like Sullivan. This control mechanism was confirmed by USAID's Shannon Maguire, who stated that the agency has the right to approve or reject key personnel nominations. Despite this, Sullivan insists that this power has not been used to interfere with editorial content, emphasizing the organization's commitment to journalistic integrity.

Apart from the US government, OCCRP has also been financially supported by private entities such as George Soros's Open Society Foundations (OSF). While this funding does not raise the same level of concern regarding influence as the government's contributions, it adds to the network of OCCRP's financial support, highlighting the organization's diverse yet potentially influential backers.

The foundation of OCCRP itself was a result of secretive US government funding. In 2007, with an initial grant from the US State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, the Journalism Development Group, controlled by Sullivan, was instrumental in establishing OCCRP. This origin story underscores the deep-rooted connection between OCCRP and US foreign policy interests from the very beginning.

The investigation revealed that the US government has steered OCCRP's focus towards countries like Russia and Venezuela, aligning with American geopolitical strategies. For instance, significant grants were allocated for projects like ‘Balancing the Russian Media Sphere’ and to investigate financial misconduct in Cyprus and Malta, where Russian interests are notably present. 

OCCRP's findings have been utilized by the US to justify and expand its sanctions policies. The Global Anti-Corruption Consortium (GACC), partly funded by the US, leverages OCCRP's investigative journalism to advocate for sanctions, particularly against entities in nations adversarial to US interests. This strategic use of journalism for policy influence raises questions about the autonomy of OCCRP's reporting.

The revelations have led to criticism that OCCRP might function more as a propaganda arm for US foreign policy rather than a purely independent journalistic entity. Critics argue that while OCCRP claims editorial independence, its reliance on US funding and its alignment with US policy goals could subtly or overtly influence its investigative priorities.

The investigation by Mediapart and its partners sheds light on the intricate and potentially compromising relationship between OCCRP and the US government. While OCCRP continues to be a pivotal player in global investigative journalism, this financial and directional dependence on the US government invites scrutiny over its ability to operate free from external influences. The findings suggest a need for transparency and perhaps a reevaluation of funding structures for organizations tasked with holding power to account, to ensure that their independence and objectives remain untainted by political agendas.