Dataharvest 2025 - the European Investigative Journalism Conference

The session will highlight methods to uncover the activities of consulting, PR and advertising firms, taking attendees through the steps that DeSmog and ARIA took to build an evidence base for their investigations into these sectors, how they landed this work in mainstream media, and the impact of that work so far.

The panel will also walk the audience through the methods, tools, and partners they used, and show them how they might replicate that work in other jurisdictions. They will also briefly touch on the different ways that DeSmog and ARIA operate in the media ecosystem.

The PR, advertising, and consulting sectors have long been fundamental enablers of corporate activity, often overlooked because their work is carried out behind closed doors, and protected by NDAs. It is therefore important that journalists have the necessary tools to investigate their activity and hold these firms accountable for their actions.

Attendees need no previous knowledge or expertise, except for a curiosity in the workings of the PR and consulting sectors.

When attendees leave this session, attendees they should have a better understanding of the tools available to them to identify the activities and clients of the PR and consulting sectors in their own countries, putting them on a strong foundation for future investigations into this space.