This summer we revealed that convicted loyalists from Belfast travelled to Glasgow for a far right protest. Further digging has unearthed a rapidly expanding anti-immigration network between Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Authorities tightened the rules around this Scottish business scheme after years of exploitation for financial crime. Moscow entities – and a man accused of facilitating child sex abuse – are still selling it to clients seeking “financial privacy”.
The Scottish Government’s green watchdog sent seven letters over three years alleging multiple breaches at a fish farm – and then issued a final warning letter.
Something fishy is happening in Edinburgh — and it’s not what you might think!
Our environmental reporter and co-founder, Rob Edwards, will be speaking on a panel as part of Something Fishy, an event hosted by Take One Action. The event will feature a screening of Until the End of the World, a documentary by Francesco De Augustinis, who has contributed to The Ferret in the past.
This film dives deep into the global fish farming industry, revealing how local communities around the world are fighting against the expansion of fish farms, which stand accused of polluting pristine waters, grabbing natural resources, and even fostering hunger and food insecurity. Book your tickets here.
Our team has been busy with more than just fishy business this month, however. Read on to find out how our journalism continues to make waves across Scotland and beyond.
Our co-editor, Karin Goodwin, recently appeared on BBC Radio 4’s The Media Show to discuss the importance of The Ferret’s media co-op model. She shared insights into how our community newsroom, launched with Greater Govanhill magazine, is transforming local journalism and why independent media deserves your support.
Tune in from the 40-minute mark to catch her thoughts.
People want good news. They want to have in-depth, proper constructive journalism – and that’s what we are providing.
Karin Goodwin, co-editor of The Ferret
Building on our commitment to independent journalism, co-editor Billy Briggs recently shared The Ferret’s approach with an international audience. In an interview with Stimuleringsfonds voor de Journalistiek, a Dutch journalism fund, he discussed how we foster engagement with our audience and members.
Billy highlighted our unique governance structure, which includes a board composed of both journalists and reader directors, and emphasised the crucial role of our community newsroom.
A recent Guardian article on a planned far-right rally in Glasgow referenced our story, which exposed how far-right groups in Scotland are using recent riots elsewhere in the UK to recruit new members.
Meanwhile, this week we revealed that more than one in four Scottish MPs own second homes or rake in tens of thousands of pounds in rent as landlords. Our investigation was covered in The Times, The Express and The National.
If you have any questions about our work, or would like to help us shape our future investigations, you can get in touch with the team at contact@theferret.scot.
As you know, here at The Ferret we pride ourselves in making good journalism that changes things. And you can help us do more of it. It’s easy: you can contribute by becoming a member today or with a one-off donation. If these options are not for you, you can always subscribe to our free newsletter to support our work.
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Main image: iStock/richard johnson
We looked at inspection reports from the body which certifies “highest standard” farms with a public-facing ‘green tick’ — and found there have been breaches of its rules at dozens of fish farms.
Covert filming of farmed trout apparently suffering at an abattoir last year led to a firm being formally warned. New footage has prompted a fresh complaint.
In the past the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency kept secret the salmon farms it censured on animal welfare grounds. Now it has changed its mind.
Campaigners complained to a government animal welfare watchdog, with videos of badly injured salmon at a fish farm. This prompted a review, but should more have been done?
