Orb tells stories that challenge our assumptions and unite us around our human story.

We are fusing massive data analysis with knowledge from the crowd and professional reporting to build a new kind of journalism that better serves the public. We’re just getting started and we’re glad you stopped by. Check out our stories, discover what we’re doing and join us in building a new kind of journalism.

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Invisibles

Original research by Orb Media reveals for the first time how microscopic plastic fibers have contaminated tap water from around the world. We look at plastic’s deep penetration into human life, and we examine the mystery of why plastic fibers have come to contaminate the water that millions depend on and what that might mean for human health. 

Orb8: Water (Health, Environment)
SDG17: 6 Clean Water and Sanitation (3, 12)

Financial Shock

It doesn’t matter who you are or where you live; the question isn’t if you’ve faced a financial emergency but when — and when you did, how you managed it. We use this question as a barometer to measure the efficacy of financial inclusion and the success of poverty alleviation around the world.

Orb8: Trade (Education, Governance)
SDG17: 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth (8.3, 8.5, 8.10, 1.4, 1.5, 9.3, 9.a, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 17.1)