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 Left
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Leftbased on 25
80/100
Factual
65/100
Objective
25
Articles
25
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
Recent coverage
How governments enable kleptocrats by doing nothing
The article discusses how governments, particularly the UK, enable kleptocrats by failing to effectively combat corruption. It highlights the recent acquittal of Alison-Madueke, a former Nigerian oil minister, who faced charges related to alleged corruption but was cleared of all counts. The article criticizes Britain's inconsistent performance in both enabling and investigating corruption, citing past failures such as the unsuccessful probe into Kazakh politician Dariga Nazarbayeva. It calls for increased resources and support for law enforcement agencies to tackle complex cases of bribery and corruption. Additionally, the piece mentions ongoing investigations into the financial activities of Iran's Supreme Leader, involving Western banks, and emphasizes the need for stronger measures against illicit finance.
Bernie Sanders Is Wrong About Trillionaires
The article discusses various topics including Elon Musk becoming the world's first trillionaire, the Supreme Court's pending decisions, debates over expanding the Supreme Court, and the economic effects of the Iran war. Panelists analyze whether Musk's wealth signifies capitalist success or a concern for inequality, examine government subsidies' role in his rise, and consider if Americans should focus more on how wealth is accumulated rather than its size.
Donald Trump’s $250 gift to launderers and criminals
The article discusses the increasing prevalence of high-value currency notes, particularly $100 bills, which are favored by criminals for their utility in money laundering. It highlights that the proportion of $100 bills in the U.S. has risen significantly over two decades, now making up 81.8% of the value of outstanding dollar banknotes. The author criticizes the U.S. government, specifically the Trump administration, for pushing to introduce a $250 bill with President Trump's portrait, arguing that such large denominations facilitate criminal activity. While noting that other countries like Singapore and the Eurozone have discontinued large denomination notes, the article points out that the U.S. continues to print them extensively. The piece contrasts this with positive developments in the UK, where new sanctions have been imposed on cryptocurrency platforms aiding Russian financing of the war in Ukraine.
AI is not the answer to AI-enabled fraud
Standard Chartered Bank's CEO, Bill Withers, faced backlash for calling employees whose roles will be replaced by AI 'lower-value human capital' amid plans to cut 15% of back-office staff. This comes as banks increasingly rely on AI to meet profitability goals while maintaining regulatory compliance. Financial crime compliance teams currently review flagged transactions manually, often finding them legitimate, which is costly and largely ineffective. Despite significant investments in anti-money laundering efforts, the scale of financial crime remains unchanged. Meanwhile, AI is becoming a powerful tool for criminals, enabling more sophisticated and scalable fraud schemes, such as pig butchering scams and cryptocurrency-based crimes.
Crypto’s corrupt American dream
The United States is moving toward passing the CLARITY Act, a major piece of legislation aimed at regulating cryptocurrencies. The bill has passed the Senate Banking Committee in a bipartisan vote, with supporters claiming it provides legal clarity for the crypto industry. However, critics argue it creates dangerous loopholes that could enable money laundering and evade sanctions. Prominent anti-corruption advocates warn that the bill lacks sufficient safeguards against illicit financial activities. Meanwhile, figures like Tether's shareholders have seen massive increases in wealth, raising concerns about the potential for abuse. In the UK, concerns have arisen over crypto investors funding Nigel Farage's Reform Party, though the article cuts off before detailing further developments.
The new samizdat
The article discusses the evolving nature of the information struggle, shifting from traditional concerns about censorship and access to a focus on the systems and infrastructures that shape how information is organized, distributed, and trusted. It highlights the role of platforms, algorithms, and AI in determining which narratives gain traction and which voices are amplified. The piece draws on the author's personal experience growing up in the Soviet Union, where access to uncensored information was critical during times of political upheaval. It also introduces a collaborative project called 'The Atlas,' which explores the future of journalism in an era of informational instability.
Legalize Cocaine to save democracy
The article discusses concerns about the influence of dark money in politics, particularly through connections between politicians and cryptocurrency companies like Tether. It highlights Nigel Farage's receipt of funds from a U.S.-based crypto billionaire convicted of financial crimes, raising questions about compliance with regulations. Despite these issues, Farage's party gained electoral success, suggesting that voters may prioritize other factors over transparency. The piece emphasizes the need for stronger oversight and regulation to prevent illicit financial flows from undermining democratic processes. It also references ongoing investigations into financial ties involving U.S. senators and Tether, while noting broader challenges in combating money laundering linked to the cocaine trade, which is often funneled through cryptocurrency networks.
How Brazil is starting to rein in Big Tech
Brazil's competition authority, CADE, has initiated an investigation into Google's use of news content, alleging unfair competition practices against Brazilian media. This follows years of advocacy by civil society groups seeking to curb Big Tech's influence. The probe aligns with Australian legislation addressing the extraction of value from news publishers without adequate compensation. The case gained momentum after the introduction of AI Overviews, which judges argue could distort market dynamics. Despite growing global regulatory interest, Big Tech executives have exerted significant pressure on Brazilian regulators. Journalists report that these companies have successfully lobbied to weaken data protection laws in other countries, highlighting the broader challenge of regulating tech giants. The U.S. government's threats to retaliate against nations attempting to regulate Big Tech further complicate international efforts.
The afterlife of empire
On May 3, a procession featuring portraits of Red Army soldiers and Soviet flags took place in Washington DC, organized by individuals who expressed admiration for Russia and its military history. Similar events occurred in other cities, including Paris, Amsterdam, and Busan. However, in Russia, preparations for Victory Day on May 9 were marked by significant changes and anxiety. The Immortal Regiment march in Moscow was moved online, and the traditional parade in Kaliningrad was canceled. Restrictions were placed on military songs and symbols near memorials in Berlin. Internet access was intermittently disrupted in Moscow, and attendance at events in St. Petersburg was drastically reduced. The Russian government warned foreign embassies in Kyiv to evacuate ahead of May 9, citing concerns about potential retaliatory strikes. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a statement allowing the Russian celebrations to proceed, specifying that Red Square would not be targeted during the festivities.
Wealth is health, Insider betting & Trump will see himself in court
The article discusses growing health inequalities across several developed countries, including the UK, US, Germany, Canada, and the Netherlands, highlighting that people in poorer areas experience significantly shorter healthy lifespans compared to those in wealthier regions. These disparities are attributed to both the lingering effects of the pandemic and austerity measures implemented by governments. The piece critiques emerging biotech companies focused on extending human lifespan through costly genetic therapies and cellular rejuvenation, arguing that these innovations primarily serve the wealthy and exacerbate existing social divides. It contrasts this trend with efforts in some regions, like Russia, where urban populations tend to live longer, though systemic issues persist.
Why an insurgency in Mali matters in Moscow
An armed conflict in Mali involving rebel groups, including Al-Qaeda affiliates and Tuareg separatists, has intensified, threatening the stability of the country's military junta. Coordinated attacks on multiple cities, including Bamako, have exposed the fragility of the regime led by General Assimi Goïta. These attacks involved a suicide car bombing that killed high-ranking military figure General Sadio Camara, a key ally of Russia. Russian-backed mercenary groups, such as the Wagner Group and Africa Corps, have played a role in supporting the region's military regimes, but they faced backlash during the attacks. Russian state media accused Western countries, particularly France, of orchestrating the violence, while Ukrainian military intelligence claimed involvement in targeting Russian forces. The situation reflects broader geopolitical tensions in the Sahel, where Russia and China are increasing their influence amid the withdrawal of Western powers.
Why Trump-backer Justin Sun is suing the Trumps’ firm
Justin Sun, a prominent cryptocurrency entrepreneur, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump family's financial firm, World Liberty Financial (WLFI), alleging that the company has engaged in fraudulent practices and mismanaged his $45 million investment. Sun claims he invested in WLFI partly due to its association with Donald Trump, whom he believes was misled by the company's management. The lawsuit suggests that WLFI's operators, including Chase Herro, have exploited the Trump brand for profit while failing to deliver on promises related to decentralized finance. Sun emphasizes that his legal action does not target Trump himself but rather those within the organization who allegedly act contrary to Trump's values. The case highlights tensions within the intersection of cryptocurrency and politics, particularly regarding the credibility of Trump-linked ventures.
“All my fundees have blue eyes.” Epstein and the tech world’s dark ideology
The article explores the disturbing connections between Jeffrey Epstein and a network of individuals involved in discussions around eugenics, genetic selection, and transhumanist ideologies. It highlights how Epstein, known for his involvement in sex trafficking, collected data on potential victims based on physical traits such as eye color, which he believed correlated with intelligence or desirability. Epstein maintained lists of individuals—many prominent in tech and academia—with blue eyes, suggesting a preference for those he deemed 'superior.' The article references documents from the Department of Justice's Epstein Library, which include emails and notes discussing topics like population control, designer babies, and the merging of humans with artificial intelligence. While these materials do not imply direct legal culpability, they reveal a troubling intersection between Epstein's activities and broader ideological trends within elite circles.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
Nothing flagged as overlooked yet.