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"Paper Trail" is produced by ProPublica, an independent, nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power and exposes what’s happening behind the scenes — so the facts can lead to real change.
We uncover information about how power shapes our lives — the water Americans drink, the pills we take, the schools our kids attend, the elections that choose our leaders.
Everything we publish, including this podcast, is free. No paywall. No subscriptions.
It's investigative journalism for the people, not for profit.
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Money. Influence.
We investigate how wealth and power shape public decisions — from billionaires' tax loopholes to the people and institutions influencing the highest court in the country.
Our reporting on the Supreme Court revealed undisclosed luxury travel, private jet flights and gifts provided to justices by wealthy donors with business before the court — raising urgent questions about ethics, transparency and public trust.
Read about billionaires' tax loopholes →
Read about ethics on the Supreme Court →
Health. Safety.
We expose systemic inequalities, policy failures and deceptive practices that pervade American healthcare.
Our reporting on health insurance companies revealed how insurers systematically deny coverage for critical treatments and interfere with mental health care, prioritizing cost savings over patient care.
Read about insurers systematically denying medical coverage →
Read about the systemic obstacles preventing millions of Americans from accessing mental health care →
Impact.
We report on corruption, abuses of power, and betrayals of public trust so that people, armed with the facts, can make real change.
Our work has proven time and again that people and policymakers, when confronted with difficult truths, will work to fix problems that come to light.
Read about how our investigations changed restrictive abortion laws in Texas →
Read about the sweeping series of changes that could transform the way the government safeguards the quality of essential generic drugs and use our first-of-its-kind tool to see where your medication was manufactured →
Read our impact reports, where we track how our work inspires action →
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Unlike many media outlets, we don’t have any owners or shareholders to appease. We have no corporate parent. No government funding. As a nonprofit, ProPublica is 100% independent. That means our only obligation is to the truth.
Our business model protects our editorial independence. We aren't beholden to benefactors or subject to political influence. Funders have no say in what we cover. Our reporters have the freedom to investigate the most powerful people and institutions in the country without fear or favor.
Our journalism exists to hold power accountable.
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