VSQUARE.ORG – is an independent, cross-border journalism initiative dedicated to improving the quality of investigative reporting and independent press in the Visegrad Region

Silk route,
hard realities

Ania Gielewska Wojciech Cieśla

Viktor Orban and Wang Yi, 2015; Photo: Károly Árvai / Prime Minister's Office

The ghost train

Viktor Orban and Wang Yi, 2015; Photo: Károly Árvai / Prime Minister's Office

What are the reasons the reasons behind Orban’s rhetoric and China’s reluctance to invest in Hungary?

Anita Komuves

18.10.2018

A Chinese dragon statue in Kazincbarcikai; photo: István Jávori (wikipedia, CC)

Between facts and propaganda: China goes to Visegrad

A Chinese dragon statue in Kazincbarcikai; photo: István Jávori (wikipedia, CC)

China’s investment in Central European countries is the result of US and EU policy. On the one hand a tough policy towards Beijing, and on the other hand, a desire for Chinese investment. And a lot, a lot of official propaganda

VSquare

13.10.2018

Bloody amber

Every year, dozens of tons of illegal amber from Ukraine find their way into Poland. It is a business worth billions of dollars controlled by Ukrainian mafia. Without the precious raw material smuggled from across the eastern border, there would be no amber jewellery – Poland’s showcase product.

Anastasiia Moroz

Patryk Szczepaniak

Konrad Szczygieł

10.10.2018

photo: Wojciech Król/CO MON

Proud and patriotic. Polish soldiers of 2018

photo: Wojciech Król/CO MON

Polish soldiers like to wear national symbols, such as the emblem and flag, in the form of tattoos. They do much more often than civilians. Such patriotic tattoos are supported by every second soldier, but only every fourth Pole.

VSquare

09.10.2018

Pro-russian tendencies pose a risk to Slovak armed forces

Slovak army even as a part of NATO have significant number of soldiers sympathizing with Russia. When would Slovakia face problem growing inside their defence force?

VSquare

09.11.2018

Viktor Orban has been working on strengthening the military of Hungary for years, and he has also been trying to make the military more popular among citizens. Now he’s going to be successful.

Anita Komuves

29.10.2018

ABOUT US

VSquare is an independent, cross-border journalism initiative dedicated to improving the quality of investigative reporting and independent press in the Visegrad Region.

fundacjareporterow.org

Reporters Foundation (Fundacja Reporterów) was established in 2010 by a group of leading Polish reporters. For many years its main mission was to train and support journalists from Eastern Europe, especially from Ukraine – through workshops, conferences and journalism awards. Support to strengthen cooperation between reporters and the skills of investigative journalists in Central Europe is an important part of Foundation’s philosophy.
investigace.cz

The Czech Centre for Investigative Journalism (České centrum pro investigativní žurnalistiku) was founded in 2013 by Czech journalists to promote cross-border investigative projects, train journalists and address the need of local journalism to follow new media trends. Center was part of global investigative journalism projects such as Pulitzer Prize winning Panama Papers, Swissleaks or Global Laundromat.
atlatszo.hu

“Atlatszo” means transparent in Hungarian. Established in 2011, atlatszo.hu produces investigative reports, files freedom of information requests and commences freedom of information lawsuits in cases where its requests are refused. Atlatszo is Hungary’s first investigative non-profit journalistic organisation financed by nonpartisan and non-governmental sources.
Aktuality.sk

Aktuality.sk is an online news outlet owned by
Ringier Axel Springer, in the last few years have devoted a lot of
energy to building strong investigative team.

fundacjareporterow.org

Reporters Foundation (Fundacja Reporterów) was established in 2010 by a group of leading Polish reporters. For many years its main mission was to train and support journalists from Eastern Europe, especially from Ukraine – through workshops, conferences and journalism awards. Support to strengthen cooperation among and the skills of investigative journalists in Central Europe is an important part of Foundation’s philosophy.
investigace.cz

The Czech Centre for Investigative Journalism (České centrum pro investigativní žurnalistiku) was founded in 2013 by Czech journalists to promote cross-border investigative projects, train journalists and address the need of local journalism to follow new media trends. Center was part of global investigative journalism projects such as Pulitzer Prize winning Panama Papers, Swissleaks or Global Laundromat.
atlatszo.hu

“Atlatszo” means transparent in Hungarian. Established in 2011, atlatszo.hu produces investigative reports, files freedom of information requests and commences freedom of information lawsuits in cases where its requests are refused. Atlatszo is Hungary’s first investigative journalism non-profit journalistic organisation financed by nonpartisan and non-governmental sources.
Aktuality.sk

Aktuality.sk is an online news outlet owned by
Ringier Axel Springer, in the last few years have devoted a lot of
energy to building strong investigative team.

LEAK TO US

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STAY IN TOUCH

We love to hear about what our readers are up to — both professionally and personally. If you are interested in hearing more about what is going on throughout the Visegrad countries, if you have feedback or questions about VSQUARE.ORG, please send to us your question/comment.

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MEET OUR TEAM

Wojciech Cieśla

Polish journalist, since 2012 working with Newsweek Polska magazine. Co-founder of Fundacja Reporterów (Reporters Foundation), member of the investigate-europe.eu, working with OCCRP. Based in Warsaw.
Paweł Reszka

Polish journalist, co- founder of Fundacja Reporterów (Reporters Foundation). Worked as a foreign correspondent covering Russia; former head of investigative desk at Dziennik daily. Based in Warsaw.
Pavla Holcová

Czech journalist, founder of the Czech Center for Investigative Journalism. Closely working with OCCRP. A co-recipient of the Global Shining Light Award. Based in Prague.
Konrad Szczygieł

Polish journalist, reporter at oko.press, since 2016 working with Fundacja Reporterów (Reporters Foundation), in 2016 shortlisted for Grand Press award. Based in Warsaw.
Patryk Szczepaniak

Polish journalist, reporter at oko.press, since 2016 working with Fundacja Reporterów (Reporters Foundation). Based in Warsaw.
Anita Komuves

Hungarian journalist, works with the investigative outlet Atlatszo. She won the Junior Prima Prize in 2012. Former Fulbright/Humphrey Fellow. Based in Budapest.
Szabolcs Panyi

Hungarian journalist at Index.hu. Covers foreign policy, national security, Russian influence. Currently a Hubert H. Humphrey/Fulbright fellow at Arizona State University. Based in Phoenix.
Anna Gielewska

Polish journalist, since 2012 in Wprost weekly. Covers politics, coordinator at Fundacja Reporterów (Reporters Foundation). Shortlisted for Grand Press and Mediatory awards. Based in Warsaw.
Edyta Żemła

Polish journalist, since 2016 working for onet.pl. Former journalist at Rzeczpospolita daily and editor-in-chief of Polska Zbrojna, war correspondent in Afghanistan. Based in Warsaw.
Anastasiia Moroz

Ukrainian journalist, since 2017 working at Fundacja Reporterów (Reporters Foundation). Based in Warsaw.

MEET OUR TEAM

Wojciech Cieśla

Polish journalist, since 2012 working with Newsweek Polska magazine. Co-founder of Fundacja Reporterów (Reporters Foundation), member of the investigate-europe.eu, working with OCCRP. Based in Warsaw.
Paweł Reszka

Polish journalist, co- founder of Fundacja Reporterów (Reporters Foundation). Worked as a foreign correspondent covering Russia; former head of investigative desk at Dziennik daily. Based in Warsaw.
Pavla Holcová

Czech journalist, founder of the Czech Center for Investigative Journalism. Closely working with OCCRP. A co-recipient of the Global Shining Light Award. Based in Prague.
Konrad Szczygieł

Polish journalist, reporter at oko.press, since 2016 working with Fundacja Reporterów (Reporters Foundation), in 2016 shortlisted for Grand Press award. Based in Warsaw.
Patryk Szczepaniak

Polish journalist, reporter at oko.press, since 2016 working with Fundacja Reporterów (Reporters Foundation). Based in Warsaw.
Anita Komuves

Hungarian journalist, works with the investigative outlet Atlatszo. She won the Junior Prima Prize in 2012. Former Fulbright/Humphrey Fellow. Based in Budapest.
Szabolcs Panyi

Hungarian journalist at Index.hu. Covers foreign policy, national security, Russian influence. Currently a Hubert H. Humphrey/Fulbright fellow at Arizona State University. Based in Phoenix.
Anna Gielewska

Polish journalist, since 2012 in Wprost weekly. Covers politics, coordinator at Fundacja Reporterów (Reporters Foundation). Shortlisted for Grand Press and Mediatory awards. Based in Warsaw.
Edyta Żemła

Polish journalist, since 2016 working for onet.pl. Former journalist at Rzeczpospolita daily and editor-in-chief of Polska Zbrojna, war correspondent in Afghanistan. Based in Warsaw.
Anastasiia Moroz

Ukrainian journalist, since 2017 working at Fundacja Reporterów (Reporters Foundation). Based in Warsaw.

VSQUARE.ORG

is an independent, cross-border journalism initiative dedicated to improving the quality of investigative reporting and independent press in the Visegrad Region