Laurent Richard on Why Silencing the Messenger Fails to Stop the Message

On April 28, 2026, French investigative journalist Laurent Richard delivered a keynote address at a technology and journalism symposium, reinforcing a core principle of his organization, Forbidden Stories: “Killing the messenger won’t kill the message.” The statement, a variation of the nonprofit’s founding slogan, underscores the resilience of investigative reporting in the face of threats, censorship and violence against journalists. For Richard and his team, technology is both a tool and a battleground—enabling secure collaboration across borders while exposing reporters to digital surveillance, hacking, and intimidation.

Forbidden Stories: Continuing the Work of Silenced Journalists

Founded in 2017 by Richard, Forbidden Stories is an international nonprofit network of journalists dedicated to completing the investigations of reporters who have been killed, imprisoned, or threatened. The organization operates on a collaborative model, partnering with media outlets worldwide to ensure that critical stories—such as forced labor in Turkmenistan, captagon trafficking in Syria, and illegal deforestation in Cambodia—reach audiences even after their original authors are silenced.

The impetus for Forbidden Stories emerged from a personal tragedy. In January 2015, Richard was working at Premières Lignes, a production company adjacent to the offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris. When terrorists attacked the satirical magazine, killing 12 people, Richard arrived shortly after the assailants had fled and assisted survivors. The attack, combined with his awareness of journalists targeted abroad, led him to create a mechanism for safeguarding investigative work. According to UNESCO, which has documented the project’s origins, Richard’s goal was to ensure that “even if you succeed in stopping a single messenger, you will not stop the message.”

Technology as a Double-Edged Sword

In his symposium remarks, Richard emphasized the dual role of technology in modern journalism. On one hand, digital tools enable secure communication, encrypted file-sharing, and cross-border collaboration—critical for investigations that span multiple countries and legal jurisdictions. Forbidden Stories’ projects, such as the Pegasus Project (which exposed global surveillance via the NSO Group’s spyware), relied on these technologies to coordinate efforts among 80 journalists from 17 media organizations. The investigation earned a News & Documentary Emmy Award in 2024.

technology introduces new risks. Journalists working on sensitive stories face hacking attempts, doxxing, and state-sponsored surveillance. Richard’s organization has had to adapt by adopting secure platforms, training reporters in digital hygiene, and developing protocols for verifying sources and data without exposing them to retaliation. “How do you communicate safely with your sources? How do you verify your facts online?” Richard asked during a 2024 podcast interview with De Balie, a Dutch public debate platform. “These are the challenges we face every day.”

Recognition and Impact

Forbidden Stories’ work has garnered international recognition. In January 2026, Richard received the Press Freedom Award at the El Mundo International Journalism Awards, presented by Queen Letizia of Spain. The honor followed earlier accolades, including the European Journalist of the Year award from Prix Europa in 2018. The organization’s impact reports highlight its role in amplifying stories that might otherwise have been buried. For example, investigations into environmental crimes in the Amazon and human rights abuses in the Middle East have led to policy debates, corporate accountability measures, and legal action in multiple countries.

The nonprofit’s model is built on redundancy. When a journalist is threatened or killed, Forbidden Stories ensures that their research is not lost. Instead, it is picked up by a network of partners, often within hours. This approach has proven effective in cases where local reporters faced insurmountable pressure. In one instance, an investigation into illegal mining in Africa was continued by journalists in Europe and the Americas after the original reporter was forced into exile.

The Broader Context: A Dangerous Time for Journalists

The need for organizations like Forbidden Stories has grown in recent years. According to UNESCO’s 2023 data, 107 journalists were killed in 2022—many in direct retaliation for their work. While the number fluctuates annually, the trend reflects a broader erosion of press freedom in regions where authoritarian regimes, criminal organizations, and corrupt officials seek to suppress investigative reporting. In this environment, technology becomes both a lifeline and a liability. Secure messaging apps and encrypted databases allow journalists to protect their sources, but they also make reporters targets for digital attacks.

Richard’s work also intersects with broader debates about the role of technology companies in protecting—or endangering—journalists. The Pegasus Project, for instance, revealed how governments used spyware to monitor reporters, activists, and political opponents. The investigation prompted calls for stricter regulations on surveillance technology and greater transparency from companies developing such tools. In his symposium address, Richard reiterated the need for tech platforms to prioritize the safety of journalists, particularly those working in high-risk environments.

What Comes Next

Forbidden Stories shows no signs of slowing down. The organization continues to expand its network, partnering with media outlets in Latin America, Africa, and Asia to tackle stories ranging from corruption in sports to environmental crimes. Richard has also signaled an interest in leveraging emerging technologies, such as blockchain for secure data storage and AI-assisted fact-checking, to further safeguard investigative work. However, he remains cautious about the risks, particularly the potential for AI-generated disinformation to undermine public trust in journalism.

As Richard put it in his keynote, “The message doesn’t die with the messenger. But it’s up to us—journalists, technologists, and citizens—to ensure that the message is heard.” In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly and journalists face unprecedented threats, Forbidden Stories’ model offers a blueprint for resilience. By combining technology with global collaboration, the organization is working to ensure that the truth survives, even in the most dangerous conditions.