Innovative QR Code Campaign Empowers Public to Support Investigative Journalism

April 29, 2025 – General – 

In April 2025, Forbidden Stories, a non-profit organization dedicated to continuing the work of journalists silenced by threats or assassination, launched a groundbreaking campaign in collaboration with creative agency VML. The initiative centers around a minimalist yet powerful tool: a QR code designed to mobilize public support for press freedom.

The campaign’s core message, “Killing the messenger will not kill the message,” underscores Forbidden Stories’ mission to ensure that the investigations of murdered journalists are not buried with them. By scanning the QR code featured on stark, black-and-white visuals, individuals are directed to a platform where they can donate to support ongoing investigative journalism efforts. This approach transforms a simple technological element into a symbol of resistance and a means for the public to actively participate in defending democracy and the free flow of information.

The campaign aims to raise awareness about the increasing dangers faced by journalists worldwide and the critical need for financial support to sustain independent investigative reporting. Each donation contributes to the continuation of high-impact investigations, such as those undertaken by Forbidden Stories in projects like the Pegasus Project and the Daphne Project.

By integrating the QR code into compelling visuals and messaging, the campaign not only highlights the threats against journalists but also empowers the public to become “game-changers” in the fight for press freedom. This innovative approach demonstrates how technology and creative communication can be harnessed to support and protect the essential work of journalists globally.

Reference –

https://www.vml.com/work/vml-a-qr-code-with-devastating-effects-for-killers-of-journalists