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 Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 8
65/100
Factual
70/100
Objective
10
Articles
10
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
Congo’s Hidden Uranium Exports – Responses from relevant companies
The article discusses concerns about hidden uranium exports from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), focusing on responses from Chinese and international entities. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it is unaware of the issue and emphasized compliance with local laws and environmental protections. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) noted that uranium in cobalt exports is typically incidental and ends up in mining waste. CMOC, a Chinese company operating in the DRC, asserts that its cobalt hydroxide meets regulatory standards and does not exceed uranium limits. They claim no uranium contamination issues exist and that uranium removal is unnecessary. The article highlights discrepancies between reported data and company assurances, raising questions about transparency and regulation.
Reclaiming the migration narrative
The article discusses the challenge of reframing migration narratives in journalism, which are often dominated by fear and crisis rhetoric. It highlights interviews with three journalists, Sakhr Al-Makhadhi, May Bulman, and Coco Khan, who are working to present more balanced and humane perspectives on migration. The piece explores their approaches to shifting public discourse away from far-right framing toward a more nuanced understanding of migration issues. The article is presented as a podcast episode available on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Lessons from Local News
The article features a podcast episode titled 'Lessons from Local News,' which explores how local news organizations around the world are effectively connecting with their communities and delivering impactful journalism. It highlights interviews with journalists from diverse regions including the UK, India, and Brazil, discussing strategies to combat news fatigue and maintain relevance. The episode includes insights from Moya Lothian-McLean, Juliana Mori, and Pooja Prasanna, focusing on community engagement and journalistic integrity. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
How can the media win back our trust?
The article discusses the current crisis of trust in traditional media and explores efforts by media leaders to rebuild credibility. It features an episode of 'Backlight' where journalists from various media backgrounds share strategies for regaining audience trust, including personal engagement, transparency, and more in-depth storytelling. The discussion involves experts such as Ed Lee from the New York Times Trust Team, independent journalist Joi Lee, and Isaac Saul, founder of Tangle News. The episode is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Rethinking journalism awards
The article discusses a podcast episode titled 'Rethinking Journalism Awards,' where hosts Beatriz Ramalho da Silva and Tessa Pang interview Jennifer Athanasiou-Prins and Patrick Boehler about the role and impact of journalism awards. The conversation explores how awards influence journalistic practices, potential issues with current award categories, and ideas for reimagining awards to better serve the public interest. The episode highlights concerns about whether traditional award systems adequately recognize quality journalism that benefits society.
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
The article discusses how to create an investigative podcast, featuring insights from the Global Investigative Journalism Conference held in Malaysia. It provides a step-by-step guide on identifying compelling stories, crafting engaging narratives, and developing strong characters within a podcast format. The hosts, Beatriz Ramalho da Silva and Tessa Pang, share their experience from the event, including behind-the-scenes audio and a segment involving the 'world's smelliest fruit.' The episode includes interviews with professionals such as Susanne Reber, Sue-Lin Wong, and Roby Alampay, who offer expertise on producing high-quality investigative content. The podcast is available on platforms like 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 while being followed by colleagues from a sauna boat. Another expert highlighted 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 liberated Syria. The report uncovered a case where hundreds of Syrian children were secretly placed in orphanages under the Assad regime to pressure their parents into paying bribes, despite a major international charity being aware of the situation but remaining silent. The hosts, Beatriz Ramalho da Silva and Tessa Pang, explore the challenges of reporting from Syria after 14 years of absence and the significance of exposing such injustices in a nation recovering from dictatorship. 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 article discusses a podcast episode titled 'Who is Journalism for?' from the Netherlands-based Lighthouse Reports. The episode features conversations with journalists exploring how to make journalism more accessible to marginalized communities. In part one, Cynthia Gichiri shares her work with Africa Uncensored, taking stories directly to those affected by issues like pesticide dangers in Kenya. Part two highlights Mazin Sidahmed's efforts with Documented, a newsroom tailored to serve immigrant communities in NYC using their preferred languages and platforms. The third part offers five actionable steps for journalists to ensure their reporting reaches impacted audiences through methods like WhatsApp groups and community screenings. The episode emphasizes moving beyond traditional newsrooms to engage directly with communities.