Backlight
Technology, Environment, Science, Politics, Sport, Business|GBacklight's stories are about the future of technology, economics, politics, sociology and science. It's the starting point for journalistic exploration of future affairs, the place that examines (inter)national developments that shape our world in the 21st century. This is the front line, where new ideas are developed, tested and criticized. Let us show you what the world of tomorrow will look like.
Bitcoin Gospel
Backlight
Bitcoin Gospel
Is bitcoin the blueprint for a bankless currency or the biggest pyramid scheme in history? Is it the alternative to a failing finance sector, or are we simply shifting power from today's banking elite to a new online elite?
Is bitcoin the blueprint for a bankless currency or the biggest pyramid scheme in history? Is it the alternative to a failing finance sector, or are we simply shifting power from today's banking elite to a new online elite?
The Tax Free Tour
Where do multinationals pay taxes and how much? Gaining insight from international tax experts, VPRO's Backlight takes a look at tax havens, the people who live there and the routes used to avoid tax globally.
Where do multinationals pay taxes and how much? Gaining insight from international tax experts, VPRO's Backlight takes a look at tax havens, the people who live there and the routes used to avoid tax globally.
The Race To Space
As the planet becomes more crowded, eyes are rising to the stars. The colonisation of space is no longer science fiction, it's big business, from NASA to entrepreneurs like Elon Musk. Meet the space lawyer trying to bring order to the space race.
As the planet becomes more crowded, eyes are rising to the stars. The colonisation of space is no longer science fiction, it's big business, from NASA to entrepreneurs like Elon Musk. Meet the space lawyer trying to bring order to the space race.
YouTubeland
YouTube is travelling like a high-speed train into one of the most powerful online platforms in the world. Which clever earnings model is hiding behind this success story, and how will this affect our future media landscape?
YouTube is travelling like a high-speed train into one of the most powerful online platforms in the world. Which clever earnings model is hiding behind this success story, and how will this affect our future media landscape?
The Bureau of Digital Sabotage
We seem to be prisoners of a worldwide digital web, created by governments and Silicon Valley. How do we stay in control of our own data? Are there ways to escape the digital dystopia?
We seem to be prisoners of a worldwide digital web, created by governments and Silicon Valley. How do we stay in control of our own data? Are there ways to escape the digital dystopia?
The Value Of Your Personal Data
Data is being collected about you constantly. All this personal data is being used to send you advertisements and banners, one would say. But that is just the start.
Data is being collected about you constantly. All this personal data is being used to send you advertisements and banners, one would say. But that is just the start.
Who Owns Football?
Large football clubs are being bought by foreign businessmen, who some say are only in it for the money with no tie to football history. But a protest movement is taking matters into its own hands to tackle the issues facing Europe's biggest sport.
Large football clubs are being bought by foreign businessmen, who some say are only in it for the money with no tie to football history. But a protest movement is taking matters into its own hands to tackle the issues facing Europe's biggest sport.
Aleksander Litvinenko
It started as a possible case of food poisoning, but within weeks turned into a spectacle of enormous political proportions. Aleksander Litvinenko, former member of the Russian secret service, died after being poisoned with a radioactive substance.
It started as a possible case of food poisoning, but within weeks turned into a spectacle of enormous political proportions. Aleksander Litvinenko, former member of the Russian secret service, died after being poisoned with a radioactive substance.
After the Revolution
In recent years, protesters have taken to the streets of Spain, Tunis, Kiev, Amsterdam, Cairo, Istanbul, Tel Aviv and more - all pressing their demands for change. But what happened after the mass demonstrations?
In recent years, protesters have taken to the streets of Spain, Tunis, Kiev, Amsterdam, Cairo, Istanbul, Tel Aviv and more - all pressing their demands for change. But what happened after the mass demonstrations?
Fossil Free
The trust that politicians will solve climate change is waning, and a growing group of concerned citizens is looking for other ways to tackle it. They're now focusing on the financial world, which they believe has crucial influence.
The trust that politicians will solve climate change is waning, and a growing group of concerned citizens is looking for other ways to tackle it. They're now focusing on the financial world, which they believe has crucial influence.
The Smart State
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has put innovation at the forefront of his growth plans for Australia. It's easy to think that all new technology is developed by hip companies like Google and Apple, but is this true?
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has put innovation at the forefront of his growth plans for Australia. It's easy to think that all new technology is developed by hip companies like Google and Apple, but is this true?
Zero Days
How safe is your data? Secret internet backdoors are being exploited and sold by hackers for astronomical amounts. It has sparked a digital war between good and bad hackers - all focused on your digital security. How safe do you feel?
How safe is your data? Secret internet backdoors are being exploited and sold by hackers for astronomical amounts. It has sparked a digital war between good and bad hackers - all focused on your digital security. How safe do you feel?
Digital Food
Modern food production is dependent on fossil fuels. As we begin to reach the end of them, how will we feed a global population of nine billion in 2050? Start-ups are using smart technology, big data and new distribution systems to find solutions.
Modern food production is dependent on fossil fuels. As we begin to reach the end of them, how will we feed a global population of nine billion in 2050? Start-ups are using smart technology, big data and new distribution systems to find solutions.
Negotiator in Time of War
In Lebanon, 1 in 4 inhabitants is now a refugee. How do the Lebanese deal with this influx? And what impact does it have on the already precarious balance in the region, and beyond? VPRO Backlight follows Dutch UN representative Sigrid Kaag.
In Lebanon, 1 in 4 inhabitants is now a refugee. How do the Lebanese deal with this influx? And what impact does it have on the already precarious balance in the region, and beyond? VPRO Backlight follows Dutch UN representative Sigrid Kaag.
Regreening The Desert
For more than 15 years, cameraman and ecologist John D. Liu has been working on his worldwide mission to green deserts and to restore biodiversity.
For more than 15 years, cameraman and ecologist John D. Liu has been working on his worldwide mission to green deserts and to restore biodiversity.
E-stonia - A Start-Up Country
In the very north-east of Europe, on the border of Russia, lies the small country of Estonia. Per capita, it has the most start-ups; internet access is considered a human right and everyone has free wi-fi. And the eyes of the tech world are watching.
In the very north-east of Europe, on the border of Russia, lies the small country of Estonia. Per capita, it has the most start-ups; internet access is considered a human right and everyone has free wi-fi. And the eyes of the tech world are watching.