NetherlandsOwnership & classification
Founded: 2009
Ownership
Follow the Money (FTM) is a Dutch investigative-journalism platform founded in late 2009 by Eric Smit, Mark Koster and Arne van der Wal. The outlet is owned by FTM Media, a private company in which founders Arne van der Wal and Eric Smit together hold the majority of certificates, with control administered through a trust foundation (administratiekantoor). It is an independent, founder-led newsroom with no parent media conglomerate.
Funding
Funded primarily by paying members/readers (over 50,000 as of early 2026) and carries no advertising, deliberately to protect independence. A minority of income comes from grants and donations from journalism funds for specific investigations; it received startup subsidy from the Dutch Stimuleringsfonds voor de Journalistiek.
Affiliation & stance
Has no party, state or corporate-owner ties; it investigates financial and corporate wrongdoing across the political spectrum and is reader-funded. As a privately and independently owned member-supported newsroom, it is correctly classified INDEPENDENT (lean CENTER_LEFT).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Left
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Leftbased on 44
66/100
Factual
63/100
Objective
45
Articles
45
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
Recent coverage
In the tropical Pacific, El Niño conditions have set in, researchers say.
The article reports that researchers from New Zealand’s Earth Sciences organization (ESNZ) have identified conditions consistent with the El Niño climate phenomenon in the tropical Pacific. They warn that impacts on New Zealand’s weather are likely to intensify over the coming months. The ESNZ joined other organizations in Australia, Japan, and the U.S. in confirming the development of El Niño, which is expected to reach strong intensity between July and September. The effects are projected to peak during the Southern Hemisphere summer, spanning late 2023 into early 2024. According to lead researcher Chris Brandolini, this El Niño event is at least comparable in strength to five of the strongest recorded El Niños in modern history. The article outlines regional rainfall expectations, noting potential below-average precipitation in some areas and above-normal levels in others. It also mentions possible temperature fluctuations and increased wind variability later in the year. Additionally, it notes two lower-probability risks: sudden stratospheric warming and the occurrence of a tropical cyclone outside the typical season, both historically linked to El Niño. Brandolini connects the
Fout onderzoek over uitvaartkosten wordt nog steeds aangehaald: ‘Bangmakerij’
Follow the Money reports that an independent research study by Nibud, commissioned by funeral insurance company Yarden, initially estimated funeral costs in 2017 as excessively high. The study was widely cited and appeared in search results but was later removed after Follow the Money requested more information. The article highlights concerns about potential misinformation or manipulation of data related to funeral costs, suggesting ongoing scrutiny into the accuracy of such financial assessments.
Prosecuting journalists and activists should be an expensive joke
The article titled 'Journalisten en activisten kapot procederen moet een dure grap worden' focuses on the state of the rule of law in the Netherlands. It highlights concerns regarding judicial procedures, particularly the challenges faced by journalists and activists who seek to expose corruption and unethical practices. The piece discusses issues such as double standards, perverse incentives, and hidden interests behind financial flows. The author, Jan-Hein Strop, conducts open-source research to uncover these problems, emphasizing transparency and accountability within legal and governmental systems. The article serves as a call for greater scrutiny of power structures and their impact on justice.
Incompetence or a hidden agenda: how IT problems are hampering the European Deforestation Act
The European Commission's implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation has been delayed due to persistent IT system issues, despite being aware of these problems for years. The article highlights concerns about bureaucratic inefficiency and lack of political will to address systemic failures. It references leaked documents obtained by Follow the Money, suggesting a disconnect between environmental promises and practical governance. The piece critiques the slow progress in enforcing deforestation controls, linking it to broader issues of transparency and accountability within EU institutions.
Zaanstad wants to turn the critical medium's neck
The article titled 'Zaanstad wil kritisch medium de nek omdraaien' appears to focus on the state of the rule of law, with contributions from authors Jan-Hein Strop and David Davidson. The piece discusses developments related to legal issues, including investigations into double standards, perverse incentives, and financial flows behind interests. It seems to highlight critical perspectives on legal and ethical matters within society. However, the content provided is brief and lacks specific details about the main subject or any direct claims made by the article.
Far-right groups use PayPal to spread ideas
An investigation by Fuller reveals that extreme-right groups are using PayPal to spread nationalist and anti-immigration ideologies. The report highlights PayPal's failure to enforce its own rules against such content, suggesting a lax approach by major technology companies toward extremist material. This issue raises concerns about the regulation of digital platforms and their role in facilitating the dissemination of radical views.
Heavy machine guns spotted aboard Russian tanker in the Baltic Sea
The article reports on a Russian LNG tanker spotted off the coast of NATO members Finland and the Baltic states, carrying heavy machine guns and reportedly staffed by numerous Russian military personnel and intelligence agents. The piece frames this as a deliberate signal to NATO not to interfere. It also discusses broader issues related to Russia’s shadow fleet, including the involvement of European and Ukrainian companies in staffing these vessels, and notes that Western sanctions have failed to curb Russian oil trade through this network.
Our love-hate relationship with social media
The article titled 'Onze haat-liefderelatie met sociale media' discusses Follow the Money's approach to journalism, focusing on criteria for selecting stories, considerations regarding external influences, and behind-the-scenes processes. It highlights the editor's role in deciding which topics to cover, particularly those related to climate change, aviation, energy plants, and livestock farming. The piece serves as a newsletter from the main editorial team, outlining the editorial decisions made by Ties Joosten, who is identified as an adjunct head editor.
Illegaal hout uit de Amazone hier als duurzaam verkocht
The article discusses the issue of illegal Amazon hardwood being sold in the Netherlands under the guise of sustainability, despite companies claiming to adhere to environmental standards like the FSC logo. It highlights a new investigation linking one Dutch wood importer, described as 'the greenest kid in class,' to illegally sourced hardwood from the Brazilian state of Pará. The piece critiques the superficial commitment to sustainability by businesses and points out the disconnect between corporate claims and actual practices, such as workers in textile factories still facing poor conditions.
A successful stud suddenly faces polluted soil and sick horses
Melanie van Remundt discovered contaminated soil at her riding stable in Lelystad, which has led to several horses falling ill. The contamination appears to be linked to PFAS pollution spreading from Schiphol airport. This issue has been previously reported by Follow the Money, highlighting concerns over PFAS contamination in various locations across the Netherlands, including reports on reusable concrete and the spread of pollutants.
The monopoly of Dutch pension funds is contrary to European law
The article discusses concerns about the Netherlands' pension system being in violation of European Union law. It highlights that Dutch pension funds currently control a significant portion of the country's pension assets, which could be opened up to foreign investors as part of broader market liberalization efforts. However, there is uncertainty about whether these foreign entities would be allowed access to these funds. The issue has led to a complaint by the European Commission, prompting further investigation into the compliance of the Dutch pension system with EU regulations. Experts like pension professor Hans van Meerten argue that European law is essential for challenging the current structure of the Dutch pension system.
Chaos surrounding mortgage interest deduction is on its way and controversial Brazilian company has landed in the Netherlands
The article is a newsletter from Team Zuidas, part of the Follow the Money initiative based in the Netherlands. It discusses two separate topics: first, the potential introduction of a deduction for mortgage interest rates in the Netherlands, which has caused confusion among taxpayers and financial institutions. Second, it mentions the controversial Brazilian company that has been operating in the Netherlands, highlighting ongoing scrutiny due to its unclear legal status and possible regulatory issues. The piece is authored by Henk Willem Smits, a historian and journalist specializing in tax evasion, fraud, and corruption, and Roland Brandsma, a fiscal expert with experience as a tax inspector and advisor. The newsletter aims to provide insights into economic and financial developments, particularly those involving complex tax matters.
Michelin is screwing up the tyre repairers' market with stunt pricing
The article discusses how Euromaster, a subsidiary of Michelin, is undercutting competitors in the tire repair market with unusually low prices, while simultaneously experiencing significant losses that are being covered by Michelin. This strategy is described as a 'divide-and-conquer' tactic by a competitor’s CEO. The piece also includes other unrelated headlines covering topics such as Brussels’ struggle against major American companies, Google’s efforts to maintain its dominant market position, and Nissan’s alleged use of illegal software to hide emissions.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
Nothing flagged as overlooked yet.