Introducing the Who Benefits project – a spotlight on lobbying, influence and power
It's a new way for Newsroom readers to experience some of the country's best reporting, on politics and public policy. In a series of stories, we will get behind decisions that affect us all but benefit certain sectors, groups or companies above others.
Who's getting what they want from our decision makers, how are they organising and what have they achieved? In short, who benefits, or 'cui bono'.
We begin on Thursday with a look at the farming lobby, given Government links to the Agri sector and a veritable flood of policy changes, including a consultation on freshwater that finishes this weekend.
There's much the public doesn't know, much policy agitation that has come to fruition or is about to, all brought together in one news feature.
Then, new sectors and new policy lobbying will be examined over the next 12 months with substantive reports published here on Newsroom.co.nz.
Who's getting their message through to those in power, and getting results? Illustration: Getty Images.
This project is a different way of working for us, but our same principles apply. Newsroom often stands back and takes time to analyse, investigate, and explain. With Who Benefits, we've got more time to delve, and breathing room to piece together the puzzle.
Our aim is to inform, reveal but never bore – although we will ensure we provide the detail; the receipts.
Hang on, though. Isn't Newsroom the subject of influence by accepting a grant from The Integrity Institute?
Well, the institute partnership has provided funding, has suggested some places to look, but Newsroom has developed the subject areas, will be led by what we uncover and will retain full editorial control. Our team – Fox Meyer and me, David Williams – are reporting to Newsroom's co-editors, not the institute, and we aim to show influence from all sides of policies.
There's pressure on us to perform. While the narrative about the media is one of commercial woe and decline, great journalism is being done every day. Our best moments, as journalists, come when we can ask questions to which we already know the answer.
We can't do this alone. We can do even better with your help. If you know where influence is being brought to bear, let us know and we'll take a look.
You can email me in total confidence: trublenzOIA@protonmail.com
Find out more information about The Integrity Institute and its mission, here.
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