Mathew D. Rose – Uber Files: Another victory for EU corruption

July 15, 2022

The Uber Files have once again shown that mainstream media is not there to protect democracy, but to participate in its sell out.
Mathew D. Rose is an Investigative Journalist specialised in Organised Political Crime in Germany and an editor of BRAVE NEW EUROPE

The recent case of the Uber Files has reconfirmed my decision to leave investigative journalism. As one titillating scandal detail follows hot on the heels of the other, the big picture – the systemic picture – is suppressed or simply ignored as always.

First of all, what were the strategic elements of Uber’s lobbying campaign? As far as we have seen up to now they were politicians at EU, national, and municipal level; corporate media; and academics. What they all have in common, maybe with exceptions, is that these people were bribed to act in the interests of Uber. However the words bribe and corruption have not appeared in a single article, NGO statement, or tweet. These were however quid pro quo deals, money for influence: business as usual in the EU.

What one has to understand with corruption is that quid pro quo does not mean an immediate exchange. One can deliver one’s own part of the bargain and collect the reciprocal fee later. Former EU commissioner Neeli Kroes is a typical example. As she was EU commissioner Uber promised her a generously remunerated position on its board later. For her part, while in office and afterwards she used her power and influence to further the financial interests of Uber. Once she had left the EU she waited until the official so-called “cooling off period of 18 months (although during this period she was energetically active for Uber) before officially joining Uber’s advisory board. Records show Uber offered her $200,000 a year to chair the board.

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continua qui: https://braveneweurope.com/mathew-d-rose-uber-files-another-victory-for-eu-corruption