Why Journalism Matters--update
Notable and readable
No extended Newsletter this week. Back next Monday September 25. Just a quick note to update you on what’s worth looking at and reading.
First of all, everyone should note that the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) is holding its bi-annual conference #GIJC2023 in Gothenburg in Sweden this week, celebrating 20 years of existence, and the phenomenal growth and resilience of investigative journalism around the world.
Unless you find yourself in Gothenburg you won’t be able to attend, but you can follow developments on the GIJN’s Youtube channel.
The reporter who uncovered the US Opioid crisis tells his story
One of the most readable and insightful personal accounts by an investigative journalist I have come across since our last issue is that of Barry Meier, the (then) New York Times reporter who uncovered the opioid crisis in 2001 and the part played by Purdue Pharma and its owners the Sackler family.
You can find his story on The Free Press substack website.
Although a tsunami of legal cases have forced Purdue Pharma into bankruptcy and the company has agreed to pay $6 billion US in compensation to government authorities and victims, the Sackler family has still retained billions of dollars from the company, and so far no members of the faimily are being held personally liable.
(The US Supreme Court is currently reviewing the legal status of the bankruptcy settlement.)
It is estimated that 500,000 Americans have died over the last two decades of overdoses related to opioids including Oxycontin, the drug produced by Purdue Pharma.
Meier’s reporting provides part of the inspiration for the Netflix series Painkiller, currently streaming on the network.
Russell Brand: the famous UK comedian investigated by the Sunday Times over allegations of rape and sexual assault
The big investigative story this week in the UK centres around allegations of rape and sexual assault against the high profile comedian turned social media influencer Russell Brand.
This investigation was a co-ordinated effort involving the Sunday Times, the Times and Channel 4 Dispatches programme.
London Metropolitan police are now investigating allegations of sexual assault against Brand but so far no charges have been made. He strenuously denies the allegations and says all his sexual relationships have been consensual.