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Check FAQAbout Crina
A London-based multi-award winning reporter, with data journalism skills to complement traditional investigative muckracking. Published by Reuters, the BBC, Greenpeace, openDemocracy, EUobserver, The Black Sea, The Canary, DeSmog, Investigate Europe. First to prove who truly owns UK's fishing rights. I have also reported for Swiss Leaks, Facebook Leaks, The Daphne Project, as well as helped openDemocracy set up their openMedia section by investigating commercial pressure inside newsrooms, among others. My reporting usually digs in on where corporate greed meets public sector corruption, causing poverty and distress. This is why I have a cross-border approach, and why I am versed in transparency laws in several jurisdistions. I have co-authred a manual in investigative reporting and data journalism for reporters in opaque countries; contributed to The Data Journalism Handbook - 2nd edition; have been commission to research what became the Master's Degree in Investigative Journalism for the Western Balkans and Turkey; and have trained thousands of journalists and students. I have also created and run Data Harvest's three data journalism strands for four consecutive years (2016-2019) and was the first to introduce a Train-The-Trainers pre-conference day here, with international contributions. I have been a globe-trotter, teaching journalism to accross the map. AWARDS The IJ4EU Impact Award (THE DAPHNE PROJECT) 2021 The Al Neuharth Innovation in Investigative Journalism Award, Small Newsroom (Finalist, THE DAPHNE PROJECT) 2018 The Paul Foot Award (Shortlisted, The Energy Desk) 2017 Investigation of the year, Data Journalism Awards (SWISS LEAKS, ICIJ) 2015 COMPAS “New Lives and Dreams” Photojournalism Award (Shortlisted) 2012 MEMBERSHIPS Alumni of and mentor at Journalism Fund Alumni of and trainer at the Centre for Investigative Journalism IRE | NUJ | Forbidden Stories member ONLINE LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/crinaboros
English
Romanian
Portfolio
Why did we launch openMedia?
openDemocracy launched openMedia to investigate and expose commercial interference in editorial decisions across Europe, with plans to expand globally. The project, led by Mary Fitzgerald, James Cusick, and Crina Boros, in partnership with organizations like Index on Censorship and King's College London, aims to address the lack of concerted focus on the influence of commercial interests on media despite its significant impact on press freedom. The initiative was inspired prior to the rise of 'fake news' associated with Trump and Brexit, and seeks to empower journalists to report freely and accurately, while advocating for greater media transparency and press freedom.
Why we are launching openMedia
openDemocracy has launched openMedia, a project aimed at investigating and exposing commercial interference in editorial decisions across 47 European countries, with plans to expand further. The initiative was conceived before the rise of 'fake news' and is seen as increasingly necessary in the current climate. The project, led by Mary Fitzgerald, James Cusick, and Crina Boros, along with partners such as Index on Censorship and King's College London, seeks to highlight underreported abuses of power and blurred lines between sponsored content and journalism. openMedia is conducting a confidential survey among European journalists to gather information on financial pressures within newsrooms, with preliminary responses indicating significant influence from pharmaceutical, construction, IT, and energy companies on media reporting.
The Paul Foot Award for investigative and campaigning journalism is back
The article announces the shortlist for the Paul Foot Award, which honors investigative and campaigning journalism. The award, named after the late journalist Paul Foot, showcases a range of journalists from various publications who have conducted in-depth investigations into issues such as postal fraud, architectural controversies, drug pricing, fishing quotas, sexual abuse in football, and homelessness. The shortlisted journalists include Daniel Balint-Kurti & Leigh Baldwin, Katherine Faulkner, Will Hurst, Billy Kenber, Maeve McClenaghan & Crina Boros, Daniel Taylor, and Emma Youle. Their work covers investigations from exposing fraud and profiteering to uncovering social issues and institutional failures. The winner will be announced at an event in London.
Lobby groups and the shaping of EU security policy
The article discusses the influence of lobby groups such as the Aerospace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD) and the European Organisation for Security (EOS) on the EU's security policy. These organizations share an address in Brussels and represent companies that frequently win EU-funded contracts. The EU's security research programme, established in 2005, has been shaped significantly by these industry actors, raising concerns about conflicts of interest. The article highlights how advisory groups like the Security Advisory Group (SAG) and Protection And Security Advisory Group (PASAG) have members with ties to companies that benefit from EU contracts. The European Commission's transparency regarding consultants' industry affiliations has diminished under Horizon 2020, with experts now able to join advisory groups in a 'personal capacity'. Investigate Europe's research reveals the extent of the industry's influence on policy-making and the potential conflicts of interest among consultants and EU-funded projects.
London’s Evening Standard sells its editorial independence to Uber, Google and others – for £3 million
The article by openDemocracy investigates a commercial deal between Syngenta, a large agribusiness company, and ESI Media, which owns London’s Evening Standard. The deal involved paid content promoting Syngenta's stance on the 'future of food' without disclosing the company's legal challenges in the US or the controversy over UK's post-Brexit GM seed regulations. The coverage was part of a growing trend within ESI Media to blur the lines between advertising and editorial content. The article also touches on the potential impact of Brexit on UK's GMO regulations and the role of corporate lobbying in shaping public opinion. It raises concerns about the lack of transparency in media partnerships and the influence of commercial interests on editorial content.
Where have all the mothers gone?
The article tells the story of 13-year-old Gabi Butnaru from Liteni, Romania, whose mother, Mihaela, has been working abroad in Spain since Gabi was in kindergarten. Mihaela's job involves picking strawberries and raspberries, which is physically demanding and leaves her in pain. Back home, Gabi has to take on significant household responsibilities, including cooking and taking care of animals, while her father, Petre, who has a leg injury, does odd jobs. The family struggles financially, leading Mihaela to work abroad despite the emotional toll on her and her daughter. The article highlights the emotional and physical hardships faced by migrant workers and their families, particularly the impact on children who are left behind.
How Romania sold out its workers to foreign investors for IMF and EU cash
The article discusses the economic situation in Romania, highlighting the contrast between the country's strong economic indicators and the reality of widespread poverty and labour exploitation. It argues that Romania's booming statistics, such as low unemployment and high growth rates, mask the issues of low wages and poor working conditions. The piece suggests that the Romanian government, under pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Commission (EC), as well as foreign investor lobbying, has weakened workers' rights and maintained low wages. This has resulted in a labour market where a significant portion of workers earn the minimum wage or less, leading to a 'dumping ground' of cheap labour within the EU. The Friedrich Ebert Stiftung's head in Romania, Stephan Meuser, is quoted on the issue of the minimum wage being a reference point rather than a lower limit for salaries.
In a small marina in Exmouth sits the Nina May, a 4.8m fibreglass boat. She has a secret: the tiny boat holds a massive amount of fishing quota, nearly a fifth of all fishing rights for the SW of England, more than all but one much larger fishing boat
Journalists in Romania failing to conform to pressure from private companies
The article discusses the challenges faced by journalists in Romania, particularly the pressure from private companies and advertisers that demand editorial control, leading to intimidation and job insecurity. ActiveWatch, a Romanian media watchdog, has reported a decline in press freedom due to financial control by political interests. The article highlights the case of the proposed gold and silver mine in Roşia Montană by Gabriel Resources, which planned to use cyanide for extraction, a process that has environmental risks and has been banned in several countries. The company has been accused of influencing media coverage through advertising and paid press trips, leading to biased reporting or silence on the issue. Journalists who resist or investigate the company's practices face censorship and job loss. The article also touches on the political influence on public broadcasting and the under-reporting of anti-mining protests in Romanian media.
Are the 'glory days' of advertising back?
The article discusses the increasing trend of blending editorial content with paid-for advertising in UK newspapers and online sites, a practice that makes it difficult for readers to distinguish between impartial news and hidden sales pitches. With the decline in traditional ad revenue, newspapers like The Telegraph and companies like ESI Media are embedding commercial content into their editorial pages. The Telegraph has content deals with companies like Focus Features, while ESI Media's Story Studio boasts content creators within editorial departments. The article also touches on the Guardian's approach to funded content and the BBC's alleged acceptance of financial assistance from Exxon for environmental coverage. The piece is part of openMedia's project to investigate commercial interference in editorial decisions across Europe's media.
"The People Have Spoken."
The article reveals that the European Research Group (ERG), a faction of pro-Brexit Conservative MPs, has been funded by taxpayer money claimed as 'research' expenses by its members. Despite rules against MPs claiming expenses for political party work, the ERG has received significant funding, with claims made by high-profile ministers. The ERG is pushing for a hard Brexit, and its influence is seen as a 'party-within-a-party'. The article raises questions about the transparency and appropriateness of these expenses, with calls for investigation by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. It also touches on the secretive nature of the Constitutional Research Council, which has funded the ERG and the Democratic Unionist Party for Brexit-related activities. The article suggests that the ERG's operations and funding could be affecting the UK government's Brexit strategy.
Lifting of restrictions on Bulgarian and Romanian migrants
Victoria Derbyshire explores the implications of the 2014 lifting of restrictions for Bulgarian and Romanian migrants in the UK. The change will grant them the same rights to work as other EU nationals. Derbyshire's investigation focuses on the UK government's readiness for the expected increase in migrants and the experiences of those who have already relocated to the UK. These individual stories may provide insight into the potential outcomes of the policy change in 2014.
Investigation into Roma Community Leaders in Belfast
Journalist Peter Coulter conducts an investigation into allegations that leaders of the Roma community in Belfast have been exploiting members of their community. The investigation includes a trip to Romania, where Coulter observes the opulent homes of these leaders, characterized by extravagant features such as gold-coloured gates. The article likely delves into the contrast between the leaders' wealth and the conditions of the people they are accused of exploiting, shedding light on the social dynamics within the Roma community in Belfast.
Undercover Investigation into Labor Exploitation of Romanian and Bulgarian Workers in the UK
The article discusses an undercover investigation by BBC Newsnight, in collaboration with a Romanian journalist, into the exploitation of workers from Romania and Bulgaria in the UK. The investigation focused on the hospitality agency Calibre, where the journalist posed as a hotel cleaner. The report revealed that the agency might be involved in employment irregularities. St Ermin's Hotel, which was featured in the report, has ceased working with Calibre after becoming aware of these potential irregularities. Calibre responded by stating that it reports its self-employed workers to the Home Office and that these workers pay amounts of tax and national insurance comparable to salaried staff. The Home Office has not expressed concerns regarding Calibre's practices according to the agency's statement.
Exposed: Norwegian-owned firm making truck drivers cheat safety test in Slovakia. A gig economy investigation that proves how top automotive brands abuse drivers' rights in the haulage industry.
Carbon trading companies use loophole to dodge hard Brexit fallout
British greenhouse gas emissions traders and producers are transferring their carbon credits to European accounts to avoid EU penalties and protect their interests in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is a cap and trade system for reducing emissions cost-effectively. With a no-deal Brexit becoming more likely, UK companies are opening ETS accounts in other EU member states, as advised by the UK government. The Dutch ETS has seen a significant increase in account applications from the UK. The EU suspended the UK's free carbon emissions allowances in early 2019 due to no-deal Brexit risks, causing British companies to stock up on allowances in late 2018. Environmental campaigners and business stakeholders express concern over the uncertainty caused by a potential no-deal Brexit, emphasizing the need for clarity and a transition period.
Big Fish quota barons squeeze out small scale fishermen
A Greenpeace investigation has found that a small number of companies own a large portion of England's fishing quota, with three companies controlling 61%. Nearly half of the quota for England and Wales is held by foreign companies, which contradicts EU fisheries policy that encourages quota allocation based on social and environmental criteria. The investigation also highlighted issues with quota hoarding on inactive vessels and the environmental risks posed by large-scale fishing firms. Jerry Percy from the New Under Ten Fishermen’s Association criticized the government's management of fishing quotas, suggesting they should not be treated as a commodity. The article also details the ownership stakes of companies like Interfish Ltd and Cornelis Vrolijk Holding BV, including past controversies and their current operations.
Firms involved in UK’s new nuclear plant have history of failures
The article discusses concerns surrounding the construction of the UK's Hinkley nuclear plant, focusing on the track record of the companies involved, such as EDF and Areva, and their history of project failures and cost overruns. It highlights the resignation of EDF's CFO and project director due to the decision to pursue the Hinkley project. The article also covers the poor working conditions and employment of foreign workers at Areva's similar project in Finland, Olkiluoto 3, and the legal disputes arising from it. Subcontractor Bouygues is mentioned for its role in the Finnish project and its own history of difficulties. The article raises questions about the commitment to employ local UK workers for the Hinkley project, with EDF promising that 60% of the workforce will be from the UK, a claim confirmed by the trade union UNITE.
Why we are launching openMedia
openMedia, a project aimed at investigating and exposing commercial interference in editorial decisions across 47 European countries, has been launched. The initiative, which predates Trump, Brexit, and the fake news frenzy, has become more urgent due to these developments. The project team, including Mary Fitzgerald, James Cusick, and Crina Boros, along with partners such as Index on Censorship and King's College London, will highlight cases where the line between sponsored content and journalism has blurred. They encourage whistleblowing that could lead to a freer press and plan to use their findings to advocate for media transparency and freedom. A confidential survey of European journalists is being conducted to gather evidence of financial pressures within newsrooms.
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