SKUP 2026

n 2002, journalist Vicky Ward began investigating financier Jeffrey Epstein for Vanity Fair. Her assignment was to find out where the billionaire had really obtained his wealth. During her reporting, she also uncovered testimonies from two women who said they had been abused as teenagers by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

The women’s stories were not included in the article. According to Ward, the most serious allegations were removed before publication following pressure and legal considerations. It was only several years later that the testimonies became public.

In this session, Ward расскаnts how she gained close access to Epstein and his inner circle, about sources who tried to raise the alarm long before the case exploded, and about what can happen when journalism challenges individuals with enormous resources and powerful connections. What does the Epstein case teach us about power, influence and editorial decision-making — and how can investigative journalists avoid letting important stories disappear?

In Norway, Dagens Næringsliv was early — and at times alone — in reporting on Epstein’s links to prominent Norwegian figures. In this session, you will also meet DN journalist Gard Oterholm, who will explain how the newspaper as early as 2019 began uncovering Epstein’s close ties to Terje Rød-Larsen, Mona Juul and Thorbjørn Jagland.

A presentation in three parts. The Dossier Center is a London-based non-profit investigative project founded in 2017. Its team carries out independent analysis of the crimes of the individuals and structures connected to the Russian authorities including corruption, money laundering and illegal interference in the domestic politics of other countries. The Dossier has investigated more than a dozen crimes committed by individuals linked to the Kremlin, both in Russia and abroad and its findings have been published by leading global media. Where possible, Dossier seeks to take legal action against the perpetrators in appropriate jurisdictions.
1) Norwegians part: Shadow fleet. We've managed to identify Russian crews - part of them are ex-Wagner mercenaries; some individuals are with cover documents. In this part the Dossier centre will talk more about methods of identification.
2) Russian intelligence and our investigations on their sabotage operations, with GRU and FSB ops abroad:
- Swedish example: The Skvortsov case about a couple that was arrested in Sweden. Dossier will talk about ID and signs that connect those people with the Russian intelligence services.
- GRU - new sabotage methods with examples; 
3) Yevgeny Prigozhin's legacy: how the 'African politology' department came under the control of the SVR (Series of investigations on new leak that we're working with other partners. Globally: Russian methodology, plans and activities in Africa and in South America.

In recent years, Greenland has taken on a new and prominent role in global politics. Major powers have shown growing interest in the island, and statements from Donald Trump and other American politicians about buying or controlling Greenland have helped draw the world’s attention to a small Arctic society.

In this session, editor-in-chief Masaana Egede will share what it is like to practise journalism in a small community that suddenly becomes a geopolitical focal point. How do you cover power, conflict and disinformation when external pressure intensifies — and when journalists themselves are closely connected to the people at the heart of the stories?

At the same time, Politiken journalist Carl Emil Arnfred will talk about how he and his colleagues have worked to cover this issue.

When you are denied access to public documents and sources refuse to meet you, undercover journalism can be a last resort to uncover serious wrongdoing. At the same time, undercover methods may involve significant risks.

Press ethics also require thorough editorial and ethical assessments. Daniel Adamson has led a number of undercover operations in his role as an editor and producer for the BBC’s flagship programme, BBC Eye Investigation. At SKUP, he will share his experiences of working undercover.