Dirty Little Secrets – Why we keep drinking
Alcohol is a drug. Germany remains a high-consumption country. The series follows the hard fight over narratives between science and the alcohol lobby.
WatchInvestigative Reporter
Alexander Nabert
As an investigative journalist, I research complex stories that would otherwise stay hidden. I often work long-term, in teams, and across borders. My reporting spans radio, podcasts, television, film, and written formats. I mostly report for BR Recherche, BR Data and ARD, with offices in Munich and Berlin.
As an investigative journalist, I research complex stories that would otherwise stay hidden. I often work long-term, in teams, and across borders. My reporting spans radio, podcasts, television, film, and written formats. I mostly report for BR Recherche, BR Data and ARD, with offices in Munich and Berlin.
My investigations have been published by Tagesschau, Tagesthemen, Report München, ARD, Welt am Sonntag, Politico, Insider, BILD, and taz. I was trained at the Axel Springer Academy. My work has received multiple awards.
If you have observed misconduct or want to report wrongdoing, you can contact me confidentially at any time.
If you have observed misconduct or want to report wrongdoing, you can contact me confidentially at any time.
Selected Films
How China Is Reshaping the UN Food Agency
China. Macht. Essen tells the story of the geopolitical instrumentalization of the FAO under its Chinese director‑general in recent years.
WatchHong Kong Diaries. What Losing Freedom Feels Like
Since the National Security Law, fear and insecurity shape Hong Kong. Four people show what it feels like to lose freedom day by day.
WatchSelected Investigations
Criminals in China behind the fraud wave
Using phishing software, criminals in China steal credit card data. The investigation exposes the structures around a key operator.
ReadAfD employs more than 100 far-right staffers
The AfD parliamentary group gives enemies of the constitution access to parliament: more than 100 staffers from the far right.
ReadKSK employed local staff with terrorism links
Internal documents show intelligence warnings. The man still worked with the KSK despite this and was later evacuated to Germany.
ReadDeath Weapons: Inside a Teenage Terrorist Network
An investigation into an international neo‑Nazi youth network that organizes online, radicalizes and builds terrorist cells.
ReadInfluence agent gets close to Chancellor Scholz
A self-described private detective cultivated access to SPD leaders. The reporting shows links to Moscow and Minsk.
ReadHannibal’s Shadow Network in Security Agencies
The series investigates the so‑called “Hannibal” network, including far‑right members and links to intelligence offices, the military and the police.
ReadShow more investigations
Death Weapons: Inside a Teenage Terrorist Network
An investigation into an international neo‑Nazi youth network that organizes online, radicalizes and builds terrorist cells.
ReadInfluence agent gets close to Chancellor Scholz
A self-described private detective cultivated access to SPD leaders. The reporting shows links to Moscow and Minsk.
ReadHannibal’s Shadow Network in Security Agencies
The series investigates the so‑called “Hannibal” network, including far‑right members and links to intelligence offices, the military and the police.
ReadSelected Podcasts
Far-right staffers with access badges
More than 100 employees of the AfD parliamentary group are active in far-right organizations. The investigation shows how secure the Reichstag is.
ListenHow China Instrumentalizes the FAO for Its Own Interests
Under China’s director-general, the FAO’s direction changed. Leaked data show how the organization is increasingly instrumentalized.
ListenAt 16, the first bomb – inside the teenage terrorist network
Young people from Europe and the US organize in covert chats and plan attacks. The reporting closely examines the network.
ListenAwards & Nominations
Investigative Reporting Award 2023 – European Press Prize
Awarded for the investigation Death Weapons: Inside a Teenage Terrorist Network.
All Awards & Nominations
Memberships
Netzwerk Recherche
Nonprofit journalism association founded by journalists. It promotes research and investigative journalism, for example through conferences.
Visit websiteDeutsche Journalisten Union
The German Union of Journalists (dju) in ver.di is the trade union for journalists. It represents the interests of employees vis-a-vis employers.
Visit websiteVG Wort
Collecting society where authors and publishers jointly manage and license copyright usage across media and platforms.
Visit websiteBook Contributions
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„Warten auf »Tag X«: Nordkreuz und das Hannibal-Netzwerk – eine Bilanz nach sechs Jahren Recherche“
In: Heike Kleffner, Matthias Meisner (eds.): Staatsgewalt. Wie rechtsradikale Netzwerke die Sicherheitsbehörden unterwandern.
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„Hannibals Netz. Wie ein Elitesoldat der Bundeswehr bundesweit für den Tag X mobilisierte“
In: Matthias Meisner, Heike Kleffner (eds.): Extreme Sicherheit. Rechtsradikale in Polizei, Verfassungsschutz, Bundeswehr und Justiz.
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„Schwarmbetroffenheit. Zur queerfeministischen Praxis auf Twitter“
In: Patsy l'Amour laLove (ed.): Beißreflexe. Kritik an queerem Aktivismus, autoritären Sehnsüchten, Sprechverboten.
Secure Contact
Tips and information that expose wrongdoing are welcome. I protect sources, documents and messages with the utmost care. The easiest way to contact me securely is to send me an encrypted message with Signal at nabertronic.01 . Alternatively, you can also send me an encrypted email with Proton Mail or PGP.
FAQ
How do I contact you securely?
Signal (end‑to‑end) or Proton Mail are best. Email is end‑to‑end encrypted only if you write from Proton to Proton or if you use my PGP key.
What if I do not understand tech?
The easiest way to reach me is with the Signal app. Install Signal on your phone via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Create a free account there, then tap my Signal link from your phone. You can also find me by username: nabertronic.01 .
What stories are you looking for?
Abuse of power, corruption and lobbying; terrorism, Islamist extremism and antisemitism; intelligence services, disinformation and hybrid threats; and cybersecurity, hacking, scams and digital crime.
How do you protect sources?
If you speak to me confidentially, you stay confidential. I do not share identities with editors, colleagues or authorities unless you explicitly want me to and give clear consent. I encrypt communications and data and delete what I no longer need.
Can I stay anonymous?
Yes. Sources can always remain anonymous if they wish. Depending on the case, there are also intermediate options, such as using a pseudonym or naming only a real first name with an abbreviated last name. We can discuss these details together and choose what fits best. If you prefer, full anonymity is always possible.
How do on record, on background, and off the record work?
These are standard levels: On record means you can be quoted with attribution. On background means the information can be used without direct quotes or naming the source. Off the record means nothing may be published – it’s only for context and can trigger further reporting.
Can I approve my quotes?
For radio/TV interviews, recorded material cannot be changed afterward. For written quotes, approvals can be agreed – we usually clarify this upfront.
Do you pay for interviews?
No. I do not pay for interviews or tips. You can read more about BR Recherche Principles here.
What if you get something wrong?
My commissioning outlets follow transparent corrections policies. If I make a factual error, I fix it and publish a correction.