Investigative journalist Ben Hallman observed that four major industries—tobacco, unhealthy food, fossil fuels, and alcohol—are responsible for one-third of global deaths each year, amounting to 19 million lives lost. Recognizing that media focuses on more immediate, dramatic death rather than chronic harm, Hallman aimed to address this gap in journalism. He founded a new outlet, The Examination, focusing on these pivotal issues. With initial backing from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the organization launched in September 2023, covering tobacco, food, pollution, and drugs, and emphasizing the need for fearless journalism to promote a healthier world.
Nineteen million lives lost annually is a staggering consequence. And yet, Hallman saw that the media mostly looked away. News outlets are drawn to "death that happens quickly and spectacularly," not the slow, grinding harm shaped by people's environments.
Hallman envisioned a new newsroom that would combine a single-issue focus with cross-border techniques. He pitched the idea. Bloomberg Philanthropies backed it. "Our backers agreed that, yes, in fact, this is a huge gap and that journalism can help fill it," he said.
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