United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 2016
Ownership
Coda Story is published by Coda Media, Inc., a New York-registered company founded in 2016 by former BBC correspondent Natalia Antelava and writer Ilan Greenberg. Antelava serves as CEO and editor-in-chief, and the organization is overseen by an independent board of directors. It operates from offices in New York City and Tbilisi, Georgia.
Funding
Coda Media is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded mainly by philanthropic foundation grants and private donations, and it began as a roughly $30,000 crowdfunded project. Reported grant support includes funding from the National Endowment for Democracy for its Coda Network of partner newsrooms.
Affiliation & stance
Coda is a nonprofit investigative outlet focused on tracking ongoing global crises (authoritarianism, disinformation, war, climate), with no party, government or corporate owner controlling its editorial line. Because it is privately/philanthropically funded and editorially self-governing, it is correctly classified as INDEPENDENT, with a center-left orientation.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Progressivebased on 25
81/100
Factual
66/100
Objective
25
Articles
25
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Independent Journalism Is Critical For European Resilience
In her annual State of the Union address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of defending European values against threats like cognitive warfare, foreign propaganda, and disinformation fueled by AI and social media. While she highlighted the need for stronger sanctions enforcement and funding for the rule of law, she overlooked the critical role of independent journalism in maintaining democratic resilience. The article argues that journalism is essential for exposing threats to democracy, providing accurate information, and enabling informed public decision-making. It highlights the work of organizations like OCCRP, whose investigations have uncovered scams, cognitive warfare tactics, and war crimes, leading to numerous government actions. Examples from Hungary, Lithuania, Serbia, and Ukraine demonstrate how independent journalism has driven accountability and democratic action.
In Denmark, the sea can’t breathe
The article discusses the challenges faced by Danish commercial fishermen like Brian, who is losing his livelihood due to declining fish stocks, rising sea temperatures, and regulatory changes. Over the past decade, many Danish coastal harbors have become economically unsustainable as marine ecosystems struggle under the pressures of climate change, overfishing, and pollution. The piece highlights how traditional fishing communities are disappearing, with younger generations less inclined to pursue the profession. It references global trends, including the UN warning that 35% of marine fish stocks are overexploited and that more than half of consumed seafood now comes from aquaculture. The article also connects these environmental issues to broader geopolitical concerns, such as Iceland's decision to halt EU accession talks over fears of losing control over its fishing industry.
As mathematicians grapple with AI, divisions are multiplying
At the International Congress of Mathematicians in Philadelphia, mathematician Jacob Tsimerman won a Fields Medal, one of the highest honors in mathematics. Shortly after, he joined OpenAI, sparking controversy among mathematicians. Tsimerman, known for his concerns about AI posing existential risks to humanity, will work on OpenAI's safety team. His move highlights growing tensions between traditional mathematics and AI-driven approaches. OpenAI has claimed breakthroughs in solving complex mathematical problems using large language models (LLMs), with other companies like RedNote also achieving notable results. Prominent mathematicians like Tim Gowers and Joshua Grochow acknowledge both the potential and limitations of AI in mathematics, noting that while LLMs can generate novel mathematical insights, they have not yet fully replaced human expertise.
Darkness is losing its war with the light
An American company called Reflect Orbital plans to deploy 50,000 large mirrors into space to illuminate parts of the Earth during the night. These mirrors, named after a character from J.R.R. Tolkien's work, would reflect sunlight to create artificial daylight, enabling activities like farming and urban lighting around the clock. The project has been approved by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with the first satellite, Eärendil-1, set to launch soon. However, the initiative has sparked significant concern among astronomers, who warn that the increased light pollution could severely disrupt astronomical research and permanently alter the night sky. Organizations such as the European Southern Observatory and the Royal Astronomical Society have described the proposal as an 'existential threat' to optical astronomy and a 'disastrous' idea that could 'permanently scar' the night sky.
At Least Five Underage Girls Allegedly Raped in Spanish Ceuta Following Migrant Invasion
A news article from Breitbart News reports that at least five underage girls were allegedly raped in the Spanish exclave of Ceuta following a large-scale migrant influx from Morocco. The incident occurred amid a surge of approximately 72,000 migrants entering Ceuta in a single day, with many remaining in the city due to insufficient shelter capacity. Local reports indicate that these girls, some under 14 years old, were living on the streets and reportedly subjected to sexual assault. Dr. Susana Ascaso, an emergency doctor at Ceuta University Hospital, confirmed multiple cases of migrant girls being raped, attributing the situation to overcrowding and lack of resources. The article also highlights broader concerns about public health risks, including potential disease outbreaks, and notes that residents organized a protest demanding stronger border controls and protection from further migration. The article cites local Spanish news outlets as sources.
Standing with strangers, a Tbilisi story
The article describes the ongoing protests in Georgia against the government, which many citizens believe is aligning the country with Russia rather than Europe. These protests, which have lasted over 365 days, have led to numerous arrests, including those in pre-trial detention. The narrative follows the author's experience during these protests, highlighting the challenges faced by protesters and the broader implications of authoritarianism on societal relationships. The author meets Tsaro Oshakmashvili, a local woman who becomes involved with Archil Museliantsi, a law student imprisoned for alleged protest-related offenses. Despite the political tensions, Georgia remains a tourist destination. The article also mentions the suppression of protest-related journalism, as evidenced by the confiscation of the author's camera footage.
FIFA’s games betray our trust
The article discusses growing concerns over corruption within FIFA, highlighting the controversial decision to allow U.S. player Folarin Balogun to compete in the World Cup despite apparent violations of disciplinary rules. This decision follows similar leniency shown to Cristiano Ronaldo, raising questions about whether such rulings are influenced by commercial interests rather than strict adherence to regulations. The author argues that while football may seem trivial, the erosion of trust in governing bodies like FIFA reflects broader societal issues. They note that fans' reactions to a disputed refereeing call during Argentina vs. Egypt highlight a shift in public perception, where previous tolerance for minor errors is now overshadowed by skepticism toward institutional fairness. The piece draws parallels between sports governance and political systems, suggesting that preferential treatment undermines the integrity of institutions and erodes public confidence.
The Chilean curse is its abundance of riches
The article explores the geopolitical implications of Chile's lithium wealth, particularly focusing on the recent election of President Jose Antonio Kast, a conservative aligned with Donald Trump. Kast has criticized Chile's national lithium strategy and signed an agreement with the U.S. to extract rare earths and minerals, aligning Chile with U.S. efforts to counter China's growing influence in Latin America. This follows the U.S.-led 'Shield of the Americas' summit and the previous shift away from Chinese investments, such as the abandonment of a $500 million Chinese telecom deal. The piece raises questions about resource exploitation and its impact on Chile's population and environment.
Holding the U.S. to account, Tether exits EU & Congo’s conflict coltan
The article discusses the UK's leadership of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), highlighting concerns about the organization's approach to combating money laundering and financial crime. It critiques the FATF's historical tendency to disproportionately target poorer, non-white countries, suggesting this reflects underlying biases. The piece notes that under the current U.S. administration, efforts to enforce anti-corruption measures have regressed, including the suspension of transparency requirements for residential ownership. The FATF is expected to release an updated evaluation of the U.S., which could reveal continued shortcomings in compliance with international standards.
How governments enable kleptocrats by doing nothing
The article discusses the role of Western governments, particularly the United Kingdom, in enabling kleptocrats through inadequate enforcement of anti-corruption measures. It references the failed prosecution of Diezani Alison-Madueke, former Nigerian oil minister and OPEC head, who was acquitted despite allegations of corruption. The piece criticizes the UK's law enforcement agencies, such as the National Crime Agency (NCA), for their repeated failures in tackling complex corruption cases, drawing parallels to past failures involving figures like Dariga Nazarbayeva of Kazakhstan. Legal experts emphasize the need for increased resources and improved capabilities in anti-corruption investigations. The article also mentions ongoing investigations into the financial activities of Iran's new supreme leader, highlighting the broader issue of global corruption and the role of Western financial systems in facilitating illicit transactions.
Trillionaires are a national security risk
The article discusses the rapid rise of ultra-wealthy individuals, particularly Elon Musk, who has become the first trillionaire. It highlights the unprecedented level of economic inequality and argues that this concentration of wealth poses significant challenges to social cohesion, democracy, and civilization. The piece compares this issue to climate change as a major threat to the future, noting that wealthy individuals contribute disproportionately to environmental harm. It suggests that extreme wealth can lead to harmful behaviors, such as inciting unrest or undermining democratic institutions. The author proposes addressing financial manipulation by the ultra-rich as a way to improve national security and reduce inequality, citing examples like the need for stronger enforcement of laws against money laundering.
Donald Trump’s $250 gift to launderers and criminals
The article discusses the ongoing issue of large denomination banknotes facilitating financial crimes such as money laundering. It highlights the increasing prevalence of $100 bills in the U.S., noting that they now constitute over 80% of all U.S. paper currency in circulation. The author criticizes the Trump administration for proposing a $250 bill to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, arguing that such a note would further aid criminals due to its higher value and portability. In contrast, the article mentions positive developments in the UK, where the government has imposed stricter sanctions on cryptocurrency firms aiding Russian efforts in Ukraine, including targeting major exchange HTX.
AI is not the answer to AI-enabled fraud
The article discusses concerns about AI-enabled fraud, highlighting how current financial crime compliance processes are inefficient and costly. It references a statement by Standard Chartered CEO Bill Withers, who referred to AI replacing workers as 'lower-value human capital,' sparking backlash. The piece explains that compliance officers often perform repetitive tasks akin to outdated computer systems, with minimal effectiveness in preventing financial crimes. It argues that while AI can improve efficiency, it also poses new risks, such as enabling scammers to target vulnerable individuals through sophisticated methods. Experts warn that AI could be exploited for phishing, money laundering, and other fraudulent activities, particularly in cryptocurrency ecosystems.