How U.S Funds OCCRP, the Group That Ranked Ruto as 2nd Most Corrupt Leader
The Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) recently named former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad as its Person of the Year.
Kenyan President William Ruto garnered a record 40,000 out of 55,000 total nominations, marking a historic achievement.
A Brief History
Founded in 2006 by Drew Sullivan and Paul Radu, OCCRP’s early focus was on cross-border investigative journalism, particularly in Eastern Europe and Eurasia, tackling issues like organized crime and corruption.
Their first major project, the Power Brokers Project, aimed to expose corruption in the Balkans. In 2012, OCCRP became a non-profit under the name Journalism Development Network (JDN), allowing it to expand. By late 2024, OCCRP employed over 150 journalists across more than 30 countries, solidifying its position in investigative journalism.
Funding
OCCRP’s funding structure has raised questions about its independence, particularly regarding its connections with the U.S. government.
A joint investigation revealed that since its inception, OCCRP has received substantial financial support from various U.S. government agencies.
The first significant funding came in May 2008 when the U.S. provided $1.7 million to support OCCRP’s initiatives.
By 2023, it was reported that approximately 70% of OCCRP’s annual budget was sourced from government funding, with the U.S. alone contributing around 52% of this amount.
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This financial dependency has led to concerns about potential influences on OCCRP’s editorial independence, as significant funding from a government could theoretically affect the organisation’s priorities and reporting.
Drew Sullivan has acknowledged this concern, stating that while the U.S. is a major donor, he believes that government funding is necessary for impactful investigative journalism in regions where corruption is prevalent.
He emphasised the need to balance such funding with efforts to maintain editorial independence.
OCCRP’s funding comes from a diverse array of sources:
U.S. Government: Approximately $47 million since inception, with significant yearly contributions.
European Union: Around $1.1 million.
Other European Countries: Including $7 million from Britain and $4 million from Sweden, among others.
Foundations and Individual Donors: OCCRP also receives funds from various philanthropic organisations which contribute to its operational costs2348.
Despite the reliance on government funding, Sullivan has expressed a commitment to reducing this dependency over time to safeguard OCCRP’s mission of independent investigative reporting24.
In summary, while OCCRP has established itself as a critical player in global investigative journalism focusing on organised crime and corruption, its financial ties with the U.S. government have sparked discussions about the implications for its independence and journalistic integrity.
How U.S Funds OCCRP, the Group That Ranked Ruto as 2nd Most Corrupt Leader
