For months we have been hearing about political parties that rule for the IBEX35 and about the fear among companies in this index of certain political movements coming to power. But what do we actually know about the most influential companies of the country? Is the information we read about them on the media the one we need or the one that best serves their interest?
At La Marea we think that leak-based journalism is too often priorised over investigative journalism. The first reason is undeniable: searching for information and going through data like a worker ant is very expensive and, often, it does not pay. One gets more clicks by publishing funny videos and photos, or by repeating the latest exchange of statements between currently trending politicians.
The second reason is related with the way the media are financed in this time of crisis that seems chronic. The companies of the IBEX35 are their main income source. Thus, when a leak damaging these companies reaches the media, their CEOs need to ponder whether it is worth publishing. Rarely will they start an investigation about these companies on their own initiative. Nobody bites the hand that feeds them.
La Marea can do this, if you want to. Our ethical code for advertisers guarantees our editorial independence. In our pages you will never see ads of banks that evict people, nor of companies that mistreat the environment or the dignity of people. Simply put, we believe that one cannot preach a principle and profit from its opposite. On top of independence, we practice coherence.
Now we want to go much further and analyse these companies in detail, one by one. We will publish attractive, in-depth reports with the goal of getting them the maximum exposure. Information is essential for the citizenry to be able to defend from abuses and reclaim their rights.
Thus, with you: WE INVESTIGATE, WE INFORM, WE TRANSFORM.
Main features and goals of the crowdfunding campaign
The project #weIBEXtigate aims at analysing the 35 publicly traded companies included in the IBEX35 index (Telefónica, Repsol, BBVA, La Caixa, Iberdrola, Acciona, Endesa, Inditex…) and their lobbies. With this goal, we will dedicate the coming years to:
-collect and study all available information on primary and secondary sources (official records, archives, publications...)
-interview people in charge of these companies, those affected by their
practices, official organizations, NGOs, unions and professional associations.
Final contents will depend on the nature of each individual company. In all of them we will examine:
-Economic data and modus operandi
-Revolving doors. Lobbying and influence on legislation.
-Main stakeholders. Origin of their wealth and activity.
-Labour policy. Subsidiaries. Practices abroad.
-Gender perspective.
The dossiers on each company will be published on the monthly magazine La Marea and in the webpage lamarea.com, so that it can be accessed by the highest number of people.
Why this is important
This project enriches the whole citizenry. It is aimed, especially, to those of you who believe in the democratization of the media and bet on them being owned by the people, instead of large corporations with an agenda that serve the powerful, limiting and distorting information.
Goals of the crowdfunding campaign
With 70.000 euro:
Documentation and publication of reports about each of the 35 IBEX35 companies. Edition of a digital book (epub format) of the project #weIBEXtigate. Paper edition, limited to the sponsors that choose this reward. Partial publication online (under copyleft license).
With 80.000 euro: wider DIFFUSION
On top of that, paper edition of the #weIBEXtigate project. Donations to public libraries and collectives that express an interest. Edition of a docuweb and videos on lamarea.com under copyleft license.
Above 85.000 euro: more INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM. FRANQUISMO, S.A. (Francoism, Inc.)
Edition of the digital book (epub format) Franquismo, S.A., by Antonio Maestre. This work will include not only specific information of IBEX35 companies that owe their wealth to favours by the francoist dictatorship, but also articles on companies not included in this index. Paper edition limited to sponsors that choose this reward.
With 90.000 euro: wider DIFFUSION
Paper edition of the project Franquismo, S.A. Donation to public libraries and collectives that express an interest. Docuweb Franquismo, S.A. and related videos available on lamarea.com under copyledt license.
With 120.000 euro: more INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM: THE BUSINESS OF HEALTHCARE
Special issue on companies that profit on healthcare. We will review the state of Spanish healthcare in the 17 autonomous communities: waiting lists, privatizations, state of the hospitals, medical research...
With 150.000 euro: more INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM: THE BUSINESS OF EDUCATION
Special issue about companies that profit from education. Analysis of the presence of companies in universities all over the country.
If so many of you join us that #weIBEXtigate together beyond the optimal amount of 150.000 euro... we will use the rest for technical improvements and to extend our staff in order to tackle new investigations that we already have in mind.
Team and experience
The monthly magazine La Marea has been publishing information on transnationals for more than three years. Ever since the first number, entitled "Ruling for the capital", we have analysed their labout policies, the origin of their wealth -some linked to francoism- the consequences of their expansion overseas and their influence in the preparation of rules, treaties and even of newspieces.
Besides the staff journalists (Thilo Schäfer, Antonio Maestre, Magda Bandera,
Olivia Carballar, Edu Muriel, etc.), the investigative team will collaborate with others such as NGOs, associations, unions and fellow media.