The Canary's Investigations Unit

As one of the only independent investigations units in the country, we work for you - but we need your help to keep going. We need to raise £10,000 to continue our groundbreaking investigations.

Why should you support us?

The investigations unit is continuing the outstanding body of work established by The Canary over the past 5 years. 

In that time, we’ve exposed a secretive ‘Venezuela reconstruction unit’ within the British government, worked with whistleblowers to reveal Conservative election spending misconduct, had parliamentary questions asked based on the shocking number of DWP-related deaths we’ve compiled, and named two of the controversial spycops long before the mainstream media.

Our new Investigations Unit has continued this work by publishing a number of vital stories over the past 8 months:

• We tracked and mapped the full extent of the rebellion by local Labour parties against Starmer’s leadership.
• Our exclusive investigation made use of FOI requests to reveal over £200m in unaccounted funding for the Prevent surveillance programme.
• We published documents that show the cabinet office refused to have up to 450 devices searched in another PPE scandal. 
• We combated misinformation concerning whether BAME communities had vaccine hesitancy. By uncovering racist data practice from healthcare bodies we found gaps in vaccine hesitancy data.
• We published emails proving that VIP lanes for PPE contracts existed throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
• We directly questioned people trying to embed the police in mental health care and found examples of mistreatment and cruelty.
• We worked with women’s charities to investigate abortion services in the north of Ireland that ‘amounted to torture’.

What sets us apart?

We dig into government and corporate corruption, expose abuse of police powers, challenge right-wing narratives, and provide a platform for communities ignored by mainstream media.

Since launching the unit just 8 months ago, we’ve hit the ground running by creating four exciting new series. They’re dedicated to informing and transforming people’s lives – by telling the stories that matter.

We use our platform to work with grassroots communities and amplify the voices of people who have been silenced. We’re working with activists, charities, and advocacy groups.

We monitor the police, track sinister surveillance practices, and expose the failings of the justice system. We don’t just report on these issues – as activists, we’re on the front line with you.

We examine disinformation from the mainstream media, politicians, and corporations. We reveal the facts and uncover the truth - all the while taking complex issues and making them accessible.

We dig into the pockets of politicians, corporations, and the establishment. We follow contracts and untangle paper trails that reveal financial webs and vested interests.

Why are we crowdfunding?

Our investigations take a lot of time, energy, and resources. The essential donations from our monthly supporters only just cover the costs of employing our regular staff writers. So, to go the extra mile with in-depth research, we need extra support to keep us going.

But we don't just want to scrape by. £10,000 will help sustain us and ensure we can continue our work, but our stretch target of £20,000 would enable us to dig deeper and publish more investigations on the issues that matter to you. 

Unlike the mainstream media, we don't squander money on fancy offices or overpaid executives. Every penny raised from this crowdfunder will go back into our investigations.

Who are we?

I specialise in financial tracking, open data source investigations, and human rights breaches. I've seen first-hand the inner workings of corruption in my investigations from government departments to grooming rings across the UK. I make investigations accessible because everyone has the right to be informed about the world they live in and should have the ability to change it.

As a working-class brown Muslim woman, I know how important resisting oppression is. That's why my PhD makes links between Islamophobia, racism, and trauma. I’m always going to use my investigations to show the connections between government decisions and the very real harm it causes to communities. I specialise in looking at Islamophobic counter-terror strategies, anti-racist activism, police violence, state power, and disability rights.

I've worked at The Canary since our launch in 2015 and I'm now Senior Editor. I'm really excited about continuing to help drive and develop the women-led investigations unit we’ve established. I specialise in issues around policing, civil liberties, and mental health. 

How can you make a difference?

We can only continue to expose corruption, uplift marginalised communities, and hold power to account with your help. Please support us by funding our groundbreaking investigations unit today. 

In return, you can choose to receive exclusive Telegram and/or email updates about our investigations. You can be involved behind the scenes, get sneak peeks and receive follow-ups on the impact of our stories. You’ll also be invited to an exclusive Q+A event where you'll be able to ask us anything - including how we uncover information. 

These rewards are the same for each donation level but, if you're able, please choose an amount that will really sustain us in the battle for truth and justice ahead.

Thank you, 

Maryam, Emma and Emily