{{Short description|Danish investigative journalism outlet}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox newspaper | name = Danwatch | image = 300px | type = | format = Web Media | founded = {{start date and age|2007}} | owners = Fonden Danwatch | publisher = | editor = Jesper Nymark, Thomas Gösta Svensson | language = Danish | political_position = Independent | headquarters = | website = [https://danwatch.dk/ https://danwatch.dk/] }} '''Danwatch''' is a Danish independent investigative journalism organization and research center based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Danwatch focus areas are climate change and working conditions in developing countries.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Andreassen |first1=Andreas Marckmann |title=Derfor har Danwatch ingen overenskomst |trans-title=Therefore, Danwatch has no collective agreement. |url=https://journalisten.dk/derfor-har-danwatch-ingen-overenskomst/ |work=Journalisten |date=14 August 2020 |language=da}}</ref> It also focuses on investigations into the global impacts of corporations, governments, and financial institutions on human rights, labour conditions, and the environment.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Danwatch: How a Danish Investigative Site Exerts Global Reach |url=https://gijn.org/stories/danwatch-how-a-danish-investigative-site-exerts-global-reach/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=gijn.org |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Danwatch {{!}} Journalismfund Europe |url=https://www.journalismfund.eu/media/danwatch |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=www.journalismfund.eu |language=en}}</ref> The organisation was founded in 2007 by various Danish non-government organisations including Forbrugerrådet Tænk, World Wide Fund for Nature, Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke, Folkekirkens Nødhjælp and Solhvervfonden.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2017-08-13 |title=Om Fonden Danwatch |trans-title=About the Danwatch Foundation |url=https://danwatch.dk/om-danwatch/om-fonden-danwatch/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=Danwatch |language=da-DK}}</ref>
The organization produces investigative reports and collaborates with international media outlets and journalists. Its investigations often address issues such as supply chains, environmental impacts, financial flows, and corporate accountability across multiple countries.<ref name=":0" />
In 2026 five journalists from the Danish newspaper ''Dagbladet Information'' and Danwatch received the Cavlingprisen for a series of 106 articles on Danish weapons exports to Israel.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/seneste/danwatch-og-information-vinder-cavlingprisen-artikler-om-vaabensalg-til-israel|publisher=Danmarks Radio|title=Danwatch og Information vinder Cavlingprisen for artikler om våbensalg til Israel |trans-title=Danwatch and Information win Cavling Prize for articles about arms sales to Israel |date=9 January 2026|access-date=23 February 2026| language=da}}</ref>
== History == Danwatch was founded in Denmark in 2007 by several Danish civil-society organizations with the aim of conducting investigative journalism on corporate conduct and global supply chains.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-08-13 |title=About Danwatch |url=https://danwatch.dk/en/about-danwatch/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=Danwatch |language=en-US}}</ref>
Founding organizations included the Danish Consumer Council (Forbrugerrådet Tænk), the humanitarian organisation DanChurchAid, the environmental organization World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Denmark, the development organisation Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke, and Solhvervfonden.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Om Fonden Danwatch |trans-title=About the Danwatch Foundation |url=https://old.danwatch.dk/en/om-fonden-danwatch/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=old.danwatch.dk |language=en-US}}</ref>
Since its establishment, Danwatch has developed into a specialized investigative newsroom focusing on global issues connected to Danish companies and institutions.<ref name=":1" /> By the early 2020s the organization had one of Denmark’s largest dedicated investigative journalism teams, with approximately 13 reporters.<ref name=":1" />
== Organization == Danwatch operates as a foundation (Fonden Danwatch) with a board responsible for governance and strategic direction.<ref name=":3" /> The board includes representatives from journalism, academia, and civil-society organizations,<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
The organization functions as an independent media outlet and investigative research center. Its editorial work is based on investigative methods including desk research, field investigations, data analysis, and collaboration with international partners.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2017-08-13 |title=How we work |url=https://danwatch.dk/en/about-danwatch/how-we-work/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=Danwatch |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Journalism and investigations == Danwatch specializes in long-term investigative projects examining structural issues connected to global trade and corporate activity. Investigations typically involve months of research and may include cross-border collaboration with journalists and media organizations in multiple countries.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" />
Topics investigated by Danwatch have included:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Danwatch – Undersøgende journalistik |trans-title=Danwatch – Investigative journalism |url=https://danwatch.dk/en/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=Danwatch |language=en-US}}</ref>
* global supply chains and labour conditions * environmental impacts of corporate activity * financial investments linked to controversial industries * government procurement and international trade * IT and technology The organization publishes investigations in Danish and English and frequently collaborates with international media outlets such as ''The Guardian'', Al Jazeera, and other investigative partners.<ref name=":1" />
Some investigations involve large-scale document analysis or data collection. For example, one investigation analyzed more than two million documents related to Russian military procurement contracts to examine corporate involvement in infrastructure connected to nuclear weapons facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-08-17 |title=Investigations |url=https://danwatch.dk/en/investigations/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=Danwatch |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Funding == Danwatch is financed through a combination of public funding, grants from foundations, and donations. Investigative journalism projects are often supported by funding from Danish public institutions, private foundations, and international journalism initiatives.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-08-13 |title=How we are financed |url=https://danwatch.dk/en/about-danwatch/how-we-are-financed/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=Danwatch |language=en-US}}</ref>
According to reporting on the organization, Danwatch operated with an annual budget of roughly 8 million Danish kroner (approximately US$1.1 million) in 2022, funded by foundations, donors, and Danish media subsidies.<ref name=":1" />
== Collaborations and partnerships == Danwatch frequently works with international investigative journalism networks and media outlets.<ref name=":1" /> Collaborative partners have included organisations such as the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), as well as national and international newspapers and broadcasters.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-01-31 |title=Behind the investigation |url=https://danwatch.dk/en/behind-the-investigation/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=Danwatch |language=en-US}}</ref>
Such collaborations allow investigations to be published simultaneously in multiple countries and languages.<ref name=":1" />
== Recognition == Danwatch has received Danish and international recognition for its investigative journalism. In 2026, journalists from Danwatch and the Danish newspaper ''Dagbladet Information'' received the Cavling Prize for a series of articles investigating Danish weapons exports to Israel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ritzau |date=2026-01-12 |title=Journalists win Danish Cavling Prize for articles on arms exports to Israel |url=https://cphpost.dk/2026-01-12/news/round-up/journalists-win-cavling-prize-for-articles-on-arms-exports-to-israel/ |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=The Copenhagen Post |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rasoul |first=Amez |date=2026-01-12 |title=Greenlandic MP won’t rule out an agreement with the United States: »We have to talk about the realities« |url=https://politiken.dk/nyhedsbreve/mine/nyhedsbrev_politiken_edition/art10687366/Greenlandic-MP-won%E2%80%99t-rule-out-an-agreement-with-the-United-States-%C2%BBWe-have-to-talk-about-the-realities%C2%AB |access-date=2026-03-16 |website=Politiken |language=da-DK}}</ref>
== See also ==
*Global Investigative Journalism Network *Finnwatch
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://danwatch.dk}}
Category:2007 establishments in Denmark Category:Danish news websites Category:Journalism organisations based in Denmark Category:Investigative journalism Category:Non-profit organisations based in Denmark