NetherlandsOwnership & classification
Founded: 2019
Ownership
Lighthouse Reports is a not-for-profit collaborative investigative newsroom established in the Netherlands in 2019, registered as the foundation Stichting Lighthouse Reports with Dutch ANBI (public-benefit) status. It is governed as an independent foundation rather than owned by any company, family or state; it builds topic newsrooms and co-publishes with partners such as The Guardian, Der Spiegel, Libération and ARD.
Funding
Funded overwhelmingly by private philanthropic foundations (around 89% of income), with the remainder from other income; funders include the Open Society Foundations. In 2024 it reported roughly $2.4 million in income. It runs no paywall or advertising and takes no government funding.
Affiliation & stance
Has no party, state, church or commercial-owner control; it is a grant-funded non-profit foundation focused on transnational accountability journalism (migration, environment, AI/welfare systems). As an independently governed non-profit newsroom, it is correctly classified INDEPENDENT (lean CENTER_LEFT).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Left
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 4
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Factual
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Objective
10
Articles
10
reports
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Recent coverage
Lessons from Local News
An episode of 'Lighthouse Reports' discussing strategies used by local news outlets around the world to connect with their communities and create impactful journalism. Interviewees include Moya Lothian-McLean from Mill Media, Juliana Mori from InfoAmazonia, and Pooja Prasanna from The News Minute.
How can the media win back our trust?
The article discusses the declining trust in traditional media and explores efforts by media leaders to rebuild credibility. It features an interview with journalists from various sectors, including the New York Times, independent journalism, and Tangle News, discussing strategies such as increased transparency, personal engagement, acknowledging errors, and producing more in-depth content. The discussion is part of a podcast episode titled 'How Can the Media Win Back Our Trust?' hosted by Lighthouse Reports. The episode includes insights from Ed Lee, Joi Lee, and Isaac Saul, focusing on practical steps to restore audience confidence in media.
Rethinking journalism awards
This article discusses the role and impact of journalism awards in shaping the field of journalism. It features an interview with Jennifer Athanasiou-Prins, executive director of the European Press Prize, and Patrick Boehler, founder of the Gazzetta research lab. The discussion covers topics such as how awards influence journalistic practices, potential issues with current award categories, and ways to reform awards to better align with public interest journalism. The episode is part of the Backlight podcast series by Lighthouse Reports.
How to report on Sudan
This article discusses methods for reporting on Sudan, focusing on using open-source intelligence (OSINT) and on-the-ground interviews to expose human rights violations. It highlights the urgency of covering Sudan's ongoing humanitarian crisis and outlines strategies for verifying information and engaging directly with affected communities. The piece emphasizes the role of journalism in raising awareness, promoting international accountability, and supporting justice for victims. It features insights from journalists involved in an investigation into ethnic-based atrocities by the Sudanese Armed Forces.
How to make an investigative podcast
This episode of the podcast 'Backlight' provides a guide on creating an investigative podcast, featuring insights from journalists and producers who attended the Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Malaysia. Hosts Beatriz Ramalho da Silva and Tessa Pang discuss essential steps such as identifying compelling stories, crafting narratives, and developing engaging content. The episode includes behind-the-scenes audio from the conference and a lighthearted segment on the world’s smelliest fruit. Guests include Susanne Reber, Sue-Lin Wong, and Roby Alampay, who share their expertise in investigative journalism and podcast production. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
How to become an undercover reporter
The article discusses the process of becoming an undercover reporter, using an episode of the podcast 'Backlight' as a case study. It outlines how undercover investigations are conducted in real life, including creating a believable character and planning operations. The hosts interview journalists who have carried out undercover work, such as infiltrating a secret meeting involving neo-Nazis and members of Germany’s far-right party, AfD. One journalist described posing as a wealthy guest and being followed by colleagues from a sauna boat. Another expert, a non-profit director, highlights why women often excel in undercover roles. The episode provides insights into the methods and challenges of undercover journalism.
What is the role of accountability journalism in post-Assad Syria?
The article discusses the role of accountability journalism in post-Assad Syria through an interview with Syrian journalists Bashar and Mais, who conducted their first investigation in a newly free Syria. The report uncovered a case where hundreds of Syrian children were hidden in orphanages under the Assad regime to extort their parents, and a major international charity was aware of this but remained silent. The hosts, Beatriz Ramalho da Silva and Tessa Pang, explore the challenges of reporting from Syria after 14 years and the significance of exposing such injustices. They also speak with Lighthouse Senior Editor Charlotte Alfred about the importance of international collaborations in advancing accountability journalism in Syria.
Who is journalism for?
The podcast episode 'Who is Journalism for?' explores how journalists can better reach the communities they cover. It features interviews with journalists working to bring important stories directly to those affected, such as Cynthia Gichiri, who brought pesticide danger reports to rural Kenyan farmers, and Mazin Sidahmed, co-founder of Documented, which provides news in immigrant communities' preferred languages and platforms. The episode offers five practical strategies for journalists to ensure their work reaches the people it affects most, including using WhatsApp groups and community screenings. The discussion highlights efforts to bridge the gap between journalism and the audiences it aims to inform.
Tracking deforestation from space
The article discusses the use of remote sensing technology by journalists to track deforestation in the Philippines. It highlights how this method has been employed globally, including in documenting war damage in Gaza and environmental crimes in Brazil. The piece features interviews with journalists involved in the 'Forest Fraud' investigation, who explain their methodologies and provide resources for other journalists interested in using remote sensing techniques. The article emphasizes combining technological innovation with community reporting to hold governments accountable.
What journalists can learn from content creators
The article discusses how traditional journalists can learn from content creators in shaping the future of news. It highlights an episode of 'Backlight' where journalist Tessa Pang interviews three content creators—Johanna Rüdiger, Johnny Harris, and Adam Cole (Howtown)—to explore strategies such as building trust, communicating complex topics, and using engaging, conversational tones. The discussion focuses on challenging the notion that short-form content is simplistic, emphasizing transparency and audience-centric storytelling. The episode was recorded at the International Journalism Festival in Perugia and is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
Nothing flagged as overlooked yet.