The Year in Stories: 2023

Aftermath of Refugee Shipwreck

It was the deadliest shipwreck in years. Of the 750 refugees who boarded an overloaded fishing boat in mid June with hopes of making it to Italy, just 104 survived. Now, many survivors are blaming the Greek Coast Guard for negligence, some going as far as claiming that the tragedy was their fault.

Report for the World Corps member Eman El-Sherbiny of SIRAJ was among the team of reporters who sought to find answers to the many questions that followed the incident.  In this thorough investigation , the reporters interviewed survivors, examined numerous leaked documents, and detailed the events leading up to the shipwreck, as well as the details of the Greek Coast Guard’s alleged cover-up.

But the survivors’ troubles didn’t end there. The migrants who made it through that tragic boat incident were among those who subsequently fell victim to trafficking networks, facing detention, exploitation, and abusive living conditions in Libyan detention centers controlled by armed groups. 

 A second investigation  co-authored by El-Sherbiny uncovers the grim reality of human trafficking routes, the involvement of Libyan militias in the deadly Italy-bound voyage, and the appalling treatment of those detained in warehouses.

Both stories shed light on different aspects of the challenges faced by refugees and migrants, illustrating the dangers they encounter during their journeys and the exploitation they endure at various stages, whether in perilous sea expeditions or while trapped in trafficking rings.

Indigenous Lands Unjustly Sold Online

The land occupied by the Apurinã people, an indigenous group in the southern part of the Amazon, was officially recognized a little over six years ago, and ownership of the land was in the process of getting legally transferred to the group. That is, until a company with largely European investors began selling large swathes of it on the internet in the form of Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs).

Corps member Fábio Bispo reports  in this InfoAmazonia investigation  that tribe members, who don’t even have access to the internet, were under the false impression that this company was helping them. Now, they feel duped and taken advantage of. Their villages don’t even have electricity or internet.  

Two Brazilian governmental agencies have made attempts to stop this, but as Bispo’s investigation revealed, the NFT trading has continued on cryptocurrency websites. 

Amidst ongoing conflicts and concerns over the lack of regulation, the story highlights the intersection of corporate interests, technological exploitation, indigenous land rights, and the challenges native groups face in securing legal recognition and protection for their territory.

Consequences of Air Pollution in Redlined Neighborhood

One Salt Lake City resident knew about K95 masks before the pandemic even happened. He and his family would wear them outside on days when the air quality was particularly poor. Like many residents living in neighborhoods on the west side, he’s all too familiar with the hazardous result of unending air pollution in the area.

In their ongoing multimedia series  “Reaching for Air,”  Report for America corps member Alixel Cabrera and her colleague Saige Miller interview dozens of these residents about their experiences living with these dangerously unhealthy air conditions.

 The first episode of the series  delves into the history of the issue, tracing it to policies passed a century ago as well as red-lining. They speak both to the residents themselves and experts to get a better understanding of the causes and consequences of Utah’s bad air.

Telecom Companies Increasingly Profit Off Inmates' Families

Before the pandemic, video calls in Chatham County jails were free of charge; now, jails all across Coastal Georgia have capitalized off of pandemic-era restrictions to make millions from virtual communication fees. 

Despite few remaining pandemic restrictions in the state, in-person visitation is still limited, forcing families to pay exorbitant fees for video calls, phone calls, and even text messages. 

For many, it takes a toll. One woman had to cut back on meals in order to afford frequent calls to her son as he awaited trial. Another spent half of her weekly paycheck talking to her boyfriend.

 In this comprehensive story  for The Current, corps member Jake Shore tracks the rise of the now-popular phone contracts, provides the perspectives of the sheriffs who support them, details how prisons and their families are impacted, and outlines the history of Georgia's oversight of these billion-dollar telecommunication companies – or lack thereof.

The story brings to light what some see as the exploitation of a predominately black group, and it raises ethical concerns about the high costs and limited communication for detainees and their loved ones.

The New Faces of the Global Drug Trade

The "Narco Files" project is an investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting project, in collaboration with dozens of newsrooms and spanning multiple countries — Netherlands, Spain, Colombia, and Mexico — that delves into a complex global drug trade network. This criminal enterprise involves collaborations among various groups spanning continents, with the shared goal of trafficking cocaine through a sophisticated and decentralized system. 

The  “Highway to Europe” investigation  – contributed to by Report for the World corps member Violeta Santiago – uncovers the intricate web of criminals involved in concealing, transporting, processing, and selling large volumes of drugs. 

“Removing one head does not kill the monster,” said the European Union’s police agency, likening the modern-day organized crime structure to a hydra, the mythical nine-headed creature. 

 Santiago authored a second contribution  to the NarcoFiles project focusing on how the name of  “Los Zetas”, an organization originating as the armed wing of the Gulf Cartel in Mexico, has been exported to other narco groups in Colombia and elsewhere. Her investigation, based on a thorough review of intelligence reports, court records, interviews, and leaked documents, unveils new information about Los Zetas' expansion strategies, cocaine export routes, and their cultural branding in Colombia.

Widespread Fraud and Exploitation in Rehab Facilities

When Courtney Altaha and James Cody Jr, a couple from the White Mountain Apache Tribe, sought treatment in Phoenix for their substance abuse issues, they were unwittingly caught up in a “web of fraud,” reports corps member Hannah Bassett for the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting. 

They spent two years bouncing between Arizona’s fraudulent health providers, as detailed in  this compassionate, human-centered investigation.  Their struggle is characteristic of the chaos and failure of Arizona's response. The fallout has affected as many as 7,000 tribal members, leaving them grappling with relapse risks, homelessness, and even death. 

 In a second article , Bassett chronicles the state’s attempts to manage this crisis. These efforts reportedly fell short, with delayed notifications, chaotic crisis lines, and insufficient vetting of providers.

This saga underscores the systemic failures in Arizona's behavioral health system, the susceptibility of vulnerable communities to exploitation, and the need for comprehensive and sustainable solutions. The ongoing struggle faced by individuals like Courtney and James is a poignant reminder of the catastrophic consequences of deceitful profiteering and the urgency for effective, responsive, and ethical healthcare systems.

Scrutinizing State Investments in Bilingual Education

With the ambitious goal of achieving 75% bilingual proficiency in graduating students by 2040, the California government certainly has its work cut for it.

Experts argue that current investments aren’t enough. This is exemplified in The San Diego Unified school district, which had only 7% of last year’s graduates earning a seal of biliteracy, compared to 13% statewide. 

English learners, the group that stands to gain the most from bilingual education, are conspicuously underrepresented, constituting a mere 10% of enrollment in bilingual programs. 

 In an article for Inewsource ,  part of our More than Words series , corps member Andrea Figueroa Briseño reports on the shortage of resources and the misdirected efforts, highlighting the perspectives of experts and students’ families. Her report reveals the stark disparity between the aspirations and the current situation – one that calls for a shift in mindset and prioritizing a group that’s been sidelined for decades.

The Inescapable Reality of Housing Instability

In a moment of desperation and to avoid an imminent eviction, Memphis resident Katherine Harris declared bankruptcy. At the time, she had no idea that this decision would destroy her and her husband’s ability to secure housing for years.

 In this three-part series for MLK50 , corps member Jacob Steimer chronicles Katherine and Fred’s tumultuous journey of economic hardship, housing instability, and health crises.

It reveals the precarious reality of countless Memphis residents trying to navigate the housing shortage, threading the increasingly fine line between housed and houseless. Despite consistent employment, their stay in hotels and attempts to find an apartment perpetuated an unrelenting emotional struggle.

The narrative encapsulates the systemic barriers that perpetuate the dire circumstances faced by Katherine, Fred, and families alike in their quest for secure housing amidst a sea of seemingly endless adversity.