A benevolent extraterrestrial entity with unlimited resources should fund investigative journalism in perpetuity

But until then, let's have a reasonable conversation about sustainable models.

If we share a filter bubble, you’ve probably already seen the Mediapart article accusing OCCRP of receiving “hidden” funding from the U.S. government. I think the piece oversimplifies the complex dynamics of institutional funding and public sector support for journalism, showing little interest in nuance.

Modern investigative journalism faces a difficult trilemma: it’s extremely expensive to produce, nearly impossible to monetize, and yet increasingly vital for democratic accountability. I’d argue it often functions as a public good—non-rivalrous, non-excludable, and delivering positive externalities. As with most public goods, markets alone cannot provide it efficiently.

Historically, advertising revenue was the financial backbone of journalism, but it’s poorly suited to support investigative reporting. Advertisers prioritize brand safety and p…