Reliable Sources

Investigative Journalism & Accountability Reporting 

Reuters – Reuters is one of the world’s most respected and trusted news organizations, known for its  fact-based, unbiased reporting and adherence to strict journalistic ethics. Founded in 1851, Reuters operates a global network of journalists in over 200 locations worldwide. It is renowned for its accuracy, speed, and independence, supplying news to governments, businesses, and media organizations. Reuters adheres to the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles, ensuring integrity, fairness, and freedom from bias.

The Intercept – A respected investigative journalism outlet known for its deep investigative reporting, government accountability journalism, and commitment to transparency. Founded in 2014 by Glenn Greenwald, Laura Poitras, and Jeremy Scahill, it specializes in exposing corruption, surveillance, and abuses of power. The Intercept is independent and reader-funded, allowing it to report on issues without corporate or political influence. Its journalists have won major awards for groundbreaking investigations into national security, politics, and human rights. 

Politico – A highly regarded political journalism outlet specializing in U.S. and international politics, policy and governmental affairs, and provides detailed policy analysis, making it a go-to source for policymakers, analysts, and the public. Founded in 2007, it has built a reputation for in-depth, well-sourced, and nonpartisan reporting, covering Congress, the White House, and major policy debates. Politico’s team of experienced political journalists frequently breaks major stories and provides detailed policy analysis, making it a go-to source for policymakers, analysts, and the public.

ProPublica – A nonprofit newsroom specializing in deep investigative journalism on corruption, corporate misconduct, and abuses of power. Won multiple Pulitzer Prizes. Exposes how power is abused in politics, finance, and law enforcement. Believes investigative journalism is critical to our democracy by informing the public about complex issues, and using the power of investigative journalism to spur reform.

Center for Investigative Reporting (Reveal) – One of the oldest nonprofit investigative newsrooms, focusing on government accountability, criminal justice, and corporate wrongdoing. Reveal, run by the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR), is one of the oldest nonprofit investigative news organizations in the U.S. Founded in 1977, it is known for award-winning exposés on corporate corruption, environmental crimes, racial justice, and national security abuses. Reveal produces in-depth investigative documentaries, podcasts, and reports, making it a highly credible source for long-form journalism and government accountability reporting. 

The Center for Public Integrity – An independent investigative journalism nonprofit that exposes abuses of power, money in politics, and government corruption. Founded in 1989, it has won multiple Pulitzer Prizes for its investigations into political lobbying, campaign finance, and corporate influence over U.S. policy. It is a key resource for data-driven, policy focused journalism on economic inequality and democratic governance. 

Democracy Now! – Independent nonprofit news program known for its in-depth reporting on social justice, human rights, and government accountability. Founded in 1996 by Amy Goodman, it operates outside corporate influence, relying on listener support to maintain editorial independence. Democracy Now! Is respected for evaluating underreported stories, featuring grassroots voices, and challenging mainstream media narratives. While it has a progressive editorial stance, its reporting is fact-based, investigative, and widely used by activists, academics, and policy experts seeking independent journalism. 

The Marshall Project – A nonprofit newsroom that focuses exclusively on criminal justice reporting, police misconduct, and prison reform. It has won multiple Pulitzer Prizes for its investigative work on mass incarceration, wrongful convictions, and systemic racism in the justice system. The Marshall Project partners with major publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post to expand coverage of justice-related issues, making it one of the most credible sources in this field.

Bellingcat – Open-source investigations into war crimes, government corruption, and propaganda, and is a globally respected investigative journalism and open-source intelligence (OSINT) organization specializing in fact-based, forensic investigations. Founded in 2014 by Eliot Higgins, Bellingcat uses cutting-edge digital tools, geolocation techniques, and crowd-sourced research to verify events in real time. It has played a pivotal role in exposing war crimes, disinformation campaigns, and government misconduct. Bellingcat's rigorous, evidence-driven approach has earned it credibility among journalists, academics, and legal experts worldwide.

Open-Source Intelligence & Fact-Checking 

Forensic Architecture – Uses spatial analysis, digital reconstruction, and OSINT to investigate human rights violations and state violence. It’s a research collective that uses open-source intelligence (OSINT), 3D mapping, satellite imagery, and digital forensics to investigate human rights violations, war crimes, and environmental destruction. Based at Goldsmiths, University of London, it has worked with international courts, human rights organizations, and media outlets to expose state violence, police brutality, and illegal military actions. Its credibility comes from its rigorous, science-based investigative methods and legal-grade documentation. 

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism – Based in the UK, it specializes in corporate and government accountability reporting, especially in war zones. A nonprofit newsroom that conducts in-depth investigations into corporate misconduct, government corruption, environmental abuses, and war crimes. Based in the UK, it has been instrumental in uncovering drone warfare casualties, financial secrecy, and public health scandals. Its journalism is data-driven, well researched, and frequently cited in legal proceedings and policy changes.

Declassified UK – Independent investigative news site focusing on British government operations, military actions, and intelligence agencies. It specializes in exposing covert military operations, human rights abuses, and state secrecy, particularly in foreign interventions and arms deals. While it operates with a strong critical stance toward UK foreign policy, its investigations are well-documented and have been used in legal challenges and parliamentary debates.

FactCheck.org – A nonpartisan fact-checking project by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, focused on political misinformation and investigates political claims, viral misinformation, and media distortions. Operated by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, it is one of the most reliable fact-checking sources in the U.S. It debunks falsehoods from both major political parties and is widely cited by journalists and policymakers for its evidence-based approach to combating misinformation

International & Foreign Policy-Focused Journalism

The New Humanitarian – Covers global humanitarian crises, conflicts, and human rights issues, often ignored by mainstream media. It is an independent nonprofit newsroom that covers global humanitarian crises, conflicts, and human rights issues. Formerly part of the UN, it became an independent news organization in 2015 and has since been known for deep investigative journalism on humanitarian aid, refugee crises, and conflict zones. It is highly respected among NGOs, policy experts, and humanitarian organizations for its grounded, field-based reporting.

The Diplomat – A respected independent publication covering geopolitics, security, diplomacy, and economics in the Asia-Pacific region. Founded in 2002, it is a highly regarded source for foreign policy analysis, military developments, and political trends in China, Japan, India, and the broader Indo-Pacific. Its reporting is fact-driven, analytical, and widely cited by experts in international relations and government agencies.

Global Witness – A nonprofit investigative organization that exposes environmental destruction, financial corruption, and human rights abuses tied to multinational corporations and governments. Founded in 1993, it has a long track record of uncovering illegal logging, mining, and fossil fuel exploitation, as well as money laundering networks used by oligarchs and dictators. Global Witness is widely respected for its rigorous, evidence based investigations and has contributed to major policy reforms on corruption and environmental crimes.

Independent Digital & Investigative Outlets 

Sludge – An independent investigative news site that specializes in money-in-politics reporting, lobbying, and corporate influence over government. It was founded in 2018 and focuses on exposing conflicts of interest in Congress, corporate donations, and dark money in elections. Its journalism is fact-based, research-heavy, and deeply sourced, making it a credible watchdog for political corruption and financial transparency.

MintPress News – An independent news organization that focuses on U.S. foreign policy, media bias, corporate influence, and government accountability. It is known for challenging mainstream narratives, particularly on war, imperialism, and intelligence operations. While it provides in-depth investigative work, it has also been criticized for opinion-heavy framing and publishing perspectives outside the mainstream media consensus. However, its commitment to anti-war journalism and corporate accountability makes it a significant source for alternative perspectives.