Over the past few weeks, I’ve had conversations with people curious about why we started DARC and how we fit into the media ecosystem. My answer often turned into a metaphor about road trips — let me explain.

Traditionally, investigative journalism is slow and unwieldy. Newsrooms approach investigative journeys like cautious families preparing for cross-country vacations. Editors and managers search for the roomiest vehicle they can find - a big yellow school bus, often considered the ideal ride.

They pack it with every conceivable resource and as many people as possible: researchers, data specialists, editors, photographers, social media experts, and reporters from every possible region the journey might cover get pulled into the project.

All assembled, ready from day one, consuming significant resources before even knowing where the road will lead. (As someone with a background in data, I’ve sat through my share of meetings that focused on everything but the data. A feeling not unlike a kid, strapped in the back seat of the family car on the way to the beach, asking for the tenth time: "Are we there yet?")

This generalist approach, while understandable, is increasingly impractical. Big buses are expensive, hard to maneuver, and struggle to turn quickly when obstacles arise.

But what if newsrooms took a different route? What if investigative teams started their journey in smaller, lighter, and more agile vehicles, driven by a focused core group - just a handful of editors or reporters committed to discovering the story at its heart? These compact teams offer clarity, adaptability, and speed. They can make decisions quickly, follow leads without delay, and pivot as new information emerges.

Of course, no road trip, even one taken in a sleek and maneuverable car, is possible without the occasional pit stop. At some point, you’ll need specialists or supplies. And every vehicle requires fuel and maintenance.

That’s where we come in. Think of DARC as the roadside diner and garage along the investigative highway. Whatever is needed along the way — be it data analysis, scraping, locating a corporate record, or geolocating an image — we’re ready, fully equipped, and connected with a network of trusted specialists.

Importantly, we don’t aim to replace existing teams. Instead, we want to enable them to go on more of these investigative adventures each year, with the support they need to focus on the stories that matter.

And finally, there’s one more thing that sets us apart. DARC doesn’t publish. We come without an editorial agenda, programming schedule, or opinions on when to send a right-of-reply letter. We'll never ask you to pull over and let us take the wheel.