Forbidden Stories

If a journalist falls, others rise and collectively continue their work: that’s the simple principle behind Forbidden Stories.

It’s not just about solidarity. It is an imperative need to inform the public on subjects as pressing as they are dangerous to cover—such as environmental crimes, corruption, and human rights violations.

Our investigations

Environment Mining industry

Lords of Gold: the gangs’ grip on Peru’s mines

Corruption Disinformation

Island under pressure Behind Indonesia's geothermal strategy

Environment Mining industry

Toxic Gold: the heavy toll of Ghana's illegal gold rush

asesinato periodista Leo Veras Fiscalía Paraguay Crimen

Corruption Drug cartels

Alianza Paraguay

Haiti: A State in Ruins, Predators in Power

Corruption Cyber surveillance Spyware

Under surveillance: local corruption and a journalist spied on in Serbia

Human rights War

Viktoriia Project

Human rights Starvation War

Gaza Project

Trafic

Sanction Breakers

Corruption Environment Human rights

Deforestation in Cambodia: Revelations on a deadly code of silence

Drug cartels War

Captagon Connection

Human rights

In Turkmenistan, the death of a journalist lifts the veil on forced labor in cotton fields

Disinformation Influence

The Propaganda Machine

Assassination plots Cyber surveillance Influence War

Rwanda Classified

Corruption Environment

Stolen Lands

Corruption Environment Human rights

The Baku Connection

Amazon rainforest Corruption Deforestation Environment

Bruno and Dom Project

Corruption

Front Companies Mexico

Corruption Environment Mining industry

Rafael Project

Disinformation

Story Killers

Corruption Human rights Spyware

Moroccan Cash Machine

Environment Mining industry

Mining Secrets

Cyber surveillance Spyware

Pegasus Project

Corruption Human rights

Rappler

Corruption Cyber surveillance Drug cartels

Cartel Project

Health

Covid-19

Corruption Sports

Ahmed Hussein-Suale

Corruption Drug cartels

Miroslava Project

Environment Mining industry

Green Blood

Drug trade

Deadly Border

Corruption

The Daphne Project

Corruption Drug cartels

Cecilio Pineda, Miroslava Breach and Javier Valdez

Key figures

130

Since its creation, 130 media outlets have collaborated with Forbidden Stories.

300

Three hundred journalists from 54 countries have worked on our investigations since 2017.

1,320

Our collaborative investigations have multiplied the reach of our forbidden stories by 1,320. That’s what we call the Streisand effect.

240

240 highly-threatened journalists are securely sharing their ongoing investigations with us. If they are ever assassinated or jailed, we will continue their work.

The SafeBox mechanism is used by journalists based in nearly forty countries.

73%

"80% of journalists who secure their information with us have chosen to communicate about it to deter threats."

Safebox Network: A powerful deterrent

Haruna Salisu

Nigerian journalist and member of the SafeBox Network

“No matter what you do to try to silence me, you guys are wasting your time”

Hala Nasreddine

Head of Investigations at Daraj, Lebanese media outlet and member of the SafeBox Network

“Announcing that our information is secure has a deterrent effect on attempts of repression, silencing or threat”

Lami Sadiq

Nigerian investigative journalist and SafeBox member

“The SafeBox is the most potent blow dealt to enemies of press freedom. It has become the most trusted ally for journalists all over”

Tulani Ngwenya

Journalist based in South Africa and SafeBox member

“I joined the SafeBox Network to protect my investigations from being silenced and to ensure that, even under threat, the stories I uncover will live on”

Jonathan Cuevas

Mexican journalist and member of the SafeBox Network

“The enemies of the press will think twice before committing such crimes”

Óscar Parra

Colombian journalist and member of the SafeBox Network

“I think it protects both our work and our lives”

Betty Herlina

Indonesian journalist and member of the SafeBox Network

“No one publishes such stories, if I am not writing about it, who will? The SafeBox Network could maybe bring more safety”

Deo Montescarlos

Filipino journalist and member of the SafeBox Network

"I decided to join the SafeBox to provide me with a platform to secure my journalistic work, and a reliable collective that will protect it and pursue my stories when necessary"

Vanderlei Filho

Brazilian journalist and member of the SafeBox Network

"Three journalists have already been murdered in the region. The SafeBox Network is exactly what I need."

Mardoché Boli

Malian journalist and member of the SafeBox Network

"The fight against misinformation upsets powerful interests, and some are willing to do anything to achieve their goals. Thanks to SafeBox, I can wage this battle with greater peace of mind"