Impact
ICIJ has redefined what investigative journalism looks like in the 21st century. We have repeatedly conducted journalistic collaborations so big, so visionary and so aspirational that they are unlike any others in history.
Our Offshore Leaks, Panama Papers, Paradise Papers and FinCEN Files investigations were the biggest cross-border journalism projects ever. They have shaken the establishment and led to public protests, to multiple arrests, sweeping legal reform, and official inquiries in more than 70 countries, and to the resignations of the leaders of Pakistan, Iceland and Malta after allegations of corruption.
We helped bring about the Corporate Transparency Act in the United States, hailed as the biggest anti-corruption measure since the Patriot Act of 2001. Our work has also been credited for helping bring more than 130 countries together to sign a worldwide minimum tax rate as a measure to stop giant corporations avoiding their responsibilities.
Oct 08, 2020
US regulator calls for ‘black box’ warning on breast implants
The new FDA guideline is meant to alert patients to the health risks of breast implants, which have been associated with serious illnesses, ICIJ’s Implant Files investigation found.
Sep 04, 2020
Patient advocates push US states to mandate breast implant warnings
Frustrated by FDA delays, some survivors are promoting laws to require informed consent before breast implant surgery in at least six states.
Aug 26, 2020
Bayer to pay $1.6b to settle thousands of US Essure injury claims
Tens of thousands of women claimed they suffered severe health problems after being implanted with the contraceptive device.
Aug 04, 2020
Essure injury complaints buried by Bayer, lawsuits claim
Only a fraction of incidents in which women were allegedly harmed by the contraceptive device were reported, experts in California cases claim.
Jul 02, 2020
New study backs breast implant illness claims by patients
A new study in a leading plastic surgery journal offers more evidence to support the existence of breast implant illness.
Apr 09, 2020
Spinal therapy tested on pigs and corpses banned in the UK
A controversial therapy for children with curved spines that featured in the Implant Files investigation has been banned in the United Kingdom.
Nov 14, 2019
FDA challenged over metal implants ‘public health travesty’
Patients who suffered debilitating immune reactions after being implanted with metal-containing devices have joined doctors, scientists and industry representatives to testify before a United States government advisory panel.
Oct 23, 2019
FDA recommends tough warnings for breast implants
U.S. health authorities have recommended that breast implant manufacturers provide stronger patient safety warnings.
Oct 21, 2019
India strengthens medical device regulation
Nearly one year after the Implant Files, India’s health ministry plans to register and regulate medical devices the same way it does drugs.
Jul 24, 2019
Allergan recalls textured breast implants globally
Allergan will recall its Biocell textured breast implants worldwide due to their association with a rare cancer of the immune system.
Jul 11, 2019
Australia set to join nations banning textured breast implants over cancer links
Australian authorities have proposed to ban or suspend 25 models of breast implants due to their association with elevated risks of a rare cancer.
Jul 02, 2019
European regulators poised to reveal limited implant safety data
Tens of thousands of confidential accident reports have been kept from doctors and patients every year, but some may get released.
May 29, 2019
Canada joins textured breast implants ban over cancer links
Canada has become the latest country to halt the sale of textured breast implants linked to an increased risk of rare cancer.
May 02, 2019
Patients ‘Discouraged’ As US Announces It Won’t Ban Cancer-Linked Breast Implants
The United States decided not to ban a breast implant that has been linked to an increased risk of cancer and is being removed from the market in France, Canada and other countries.
Apr 16, 2019
US Halts Sale of Vaginal Mesh Blamed for Thousands of Injuries
The United States has banned the use of vaginal mesh for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced.
Apr 08, 2019
Australia Announces Medical Device Action Plan to Address Patient Concerns
Australia’s regulator has pledged to fast-track safety reforms and improve transparency, but critics have said their plan lacks substance and detail.
Apr 04, 2019
Canada Halts Sales of Cancer-Linked Breast Implants, as Global Scrutiny Grows
A growing wave of regulators are reconsidering the safety of textured breast implants that have been associated with a higher risk of cancer.
Apr 03, 2019
France Bans Breast Implants Linked to Heightened Cancer Risk
French health authorities have informed manufacturers of a sweeping and historic ban on two categories of breast implants.
Apr 01, 2019
Italy Announces Medical Device Registries After Implant Files
Italy will launch registries for breast implants and orthopedic devices after the Implant Files exposed flaws in the country’s regulatory system.
Mar 25, 2019
FDA Kept Hundreds of Thousands of Breast Implant Incidents Hidden From Public
On the eve of a hearing about breast implant safety, the U.S. regulator revealed it has long known about vastly more complications than previously disclosed.
Mar 18, 2019
US to Investigate Health Impact of Nickel, Silicone in Medical Implants
The FDA has announced a fresh probe into adverse patient reactions to materials used in breast implants, metal-on-metal hips and birth control coil Essure.
Mar 14, 2019
French parliamentary body advocates radical overhaul of medical device market
A French inquiry is calling for sweeping reforms of medical devices regulation in France and across Europe, branding the current system “massively dysfunctional."
Mar 08, 2019
Leading manufacturer exits vaginal mesh market
One of the biggest manufacturers of vaginal mesh implants, C.R. Bard, is ending all production and marketing of the controversial products.
Mar 06, 2019
Belgium Investigates Medical Device Bribery Allegations In Wake Of Implant Files
Belgian authorities are investigating allegations that surgeons received bribes to favor certain brands of medical devices, amid accusations that the practice is rife across Europe.
Feb 27, 2019
The Implant Files Sparked Reform Around The World. Here’s Why We’re Still Reporting.
Since we published our first stories, regulators have vowed to fix gaps in medical device oversight. But some promises have not been backed up by action.