May 11, 2023
In 2022, ICIJ exposed new faultlines in the global political landscape
ICIJ spent the last year doing what it does best: mining datasets, sifting through documents and shining a light on systems previously shrouded in secrecy.
Shadow Diplomats
Feb 07, 2023
How US lawyers and bankers aided powerful Haitian tycoons now sanctioned over corruption by Canada
Two wealthy Haitians recently sanctioned by Canada owned or had other links to almost 20 companies and trusts created in some of the world’s most secretive tax havens, according to documents from the Pandora Papers.
Feb 02, 2023
Meet the Investigators podcast: Exposing the Shadow Diplomats
Reporters Will Fitzgibbon, Debbie Cenziper and Diana Moukalled take us behind the scenes of the Shadow Diplomats investigation and reveal how ICIJ and its partners uncovered hundreds of part-time diplomats embroiled in controversy.
Jan 17, 2023
Jordan, Latvia and Israel shake up diplomatic corps after Shadow Diplomats investigation
After receiving questions from journalists, governments announced the termination and reviews of honorary consuls tied to controversies or accused of wrongdoing.
Jan 11, 2023
From court records to military archives, document dive revealed the world’s Shadow Diplomats
Nine documents illustrate how journalists obtained records to build the first comprehensive account of global wrongdoing by volunteer diplomats known as honorary consuls.
Dec 22, 2022
Shadow Diplomats have posed a threat for decades. Governments looked the other way.
The U.S. State Department trusts foreign governments to nominate reputable honorary consuls, despite global accounts of wrongdoing.
Dec 21, 2022
How 2022 turned into one of ICIJ’s biggest years for investigations and impact
Over the last 12 months, the newsroom behind the world’s biggest journalism collaborations put out more deep-dive global exposés than ever before.
Dec 21, 2022
How a global data dive uncovered hundreds of honorary consuls linked to crimes or scandals
ICIJ spent months requesting, collating and analyzing data on honorary consuls from all around the world, reviewing hundreds who were mired in controversy.
Dec 06, 2022
Governments call for reforms to centuries-old honorary consul system
Authorities around the world launch probes and propose overhauls following ICIJ and ProPublica's Shadow Diplomats investigation.
Dec 04, 2022
Agents of influence: How Russia deploys an army of shadow diplomats
Under Vladimir Putin, Russia has appointed dozens of honorary consuls. Many spread pro-Kremlin sentiment around the world.
Nov 22, 2022
Highlights from Shadow Diplomats reporting around the world
ICIJ media partners investigated honorary consuls tied to their countries, unearthing cases of wrongdoing by the part-time diplomats and a critical lack of government oversight.
Nov 14, 2022
About the Shadow Diplomats investigation
Honorary consuls around the world have repeatedly exploited their status to enrich themselves, evade law enforcement or advance political agendas.
Nov 14, 2022
Accused terror financiers, arms traffickers and drug runners among hundreds of rogue diplomats, global investigation reveals
Honorary consuls are meant to foster ties between countries. But criminals and others accused of exploiting the position have infiltrated their ranks.
Nov 14, 2022
How can I find out more about honorary consuls from my country?
ICIJ analyzed the level of transparency provided by countries about honorary consuls residing in their territory, and the honorary consuls that are representing their countries abroad.
Nov 14, 2022
Watch: Investigating the global threat of rogue diplomacy
The Shadow Diplomats investigation identified at least 500 current and former honorary consuls who have been accused of crimes or embroiled in controversies including drug and weapons trafficking, murder, fraud and terror financing.
Nov 14, 2022
Frequently asked questions about the Shadow Diplomats investigation
What’s an honorary consul? What did the Shadow Diplomats investigation uncover? These questions and more, answered.
Nov 14, 2022
Shadow Diplomats: Meet 14 controversial honorary consuls
ICIJ and ProPublica identified at least 500 current or former honorary consuls publicly accused of wrongdoing or embroiled in controversy. Here are snapshots of some of those cases.