Research & Investigations

I. Recent / Ongoing Projects

Commodity Trading Multinationals in Switzerland — 2026 (Research in Progress / Publication Forthcoming)

In 2026, I launched a documentary research project on commodity trading multinationals based in Switzerland, primarily in Geneva and Zug. The goal: to compile in one place all legal proceedings involving these companies. The research focuses on the top six firms, with an expanded scope to cover the top 20 in the sector.

This multilingual investigation builds on the groundbreaking work of Public Eye, combining OSINT research, my experience as a Media Researcher (Recherchiste), and my expertise in AI tools for data verification, source validation, and analysis.

The project’s second phase is currently underway: a comprehensive article, a dashboard consolidating verified information and ongoing legal cases, and an interactive graphical visualization of the findings. Publication on this site and related platforms (eldavidmarin.com) is planned for autumn 2026 and early 2027, with preview excerpts coming soon. Stay updated by following the news tab or subscribing to the newsletter, launching in September 2026.

II. At RTS / TSR

Media Researcher (Recherchiste) — 2002–2015 Selected projects by year

Media Researcher, TV News — RTS, 2012–2015

Thematic monitoring and research: Diesel markets, particulate filters, Dieselgate, air and water quality (micropollutants).
Energy sector: Coal, nuclear phase-out, renewable energies; economic sector monitoring.
Migration flows: Routes of exile, migrant deaths in the Mediterranean.
News monitoring: Economy and society sections; fact-checking on mobility, public transport, watchmaking, industry; analysis and synthesis of reports, data, and statistics.
Graphic visualization and data analysis.
Adeline Morel case: Information gathering, privacy protection, victim and family rights.

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Tamiflu Investigation — RTS, 2011–2012

Managed stockpiles of cantons and the Swiss Confederation. Exclusive investigation (feature on On en parle): Geneva destroyed its stocks; the canton of Vaud requested an extension from Roche for the expiration date of 20,000 boxes.

— Listen to the broadcast → Tamiflu in the Trash

High IQ Children — RTS, 2011–2012

Research and documentation: scientific articles, medicine, psychiatry, academic works. Identified experts and witnesses.

— Listen to the broadcast → In the School of the Gifted

Media Researcher, Radio — RTS, 2011–2012

For the programs Zone Franche, On en parle, and Un dromadaire sur l’épaule (travel show).

Media Researcher, Tard pour Bar — RTS, 2008–2011

Talk show and cultural program.

Proposed and developed multiple show topics.
Prepared briefs for books, cinema, music, and exhibitions.
Monitored Romand cultural news: relations with institutions, theaters, associations, publishers, press officers, and artist representatives.
Conducted pre-interviews, selected guests and participants.
Programmed live music: artist selection, scheduling, coordination with record labels and technical teams.

Archive → Tard pour Bar

Spanish Citrus and Pesticides Investigation — RTS, 2008

Documentary research and field investigation.
Organized shoots: lemon and citrus production companies; organic farm, Valencia region.
Analyzed groundwater contamination report, Silla region (Valencia).
Investigated the effects of pesticide synergy.
Coordinated pesticide analysis with the cantonal chemist.

Archive not available online.

Burnout and Depression Investigation — RTS, 2007

Documentary research, scientific literature, pre-interviews, and expert selection.
Identified and selected witnesses.

— Watch the report → Scènes de ménage — Bobo: Depression

Economic Data and Sector Monitoring — Classe éco, RTS, 2006–2007

Researched and analyzed statistical data, corporate reports, and consulting firm reports.
Monitored economic sectors: industry, chemistry, tourism, watchmaking, technology.

View archives → Classe éco: Economic Magazine

elBulli Restaurant and Ferran Adrià Interview — TSR, 2005

Proposed the topic, conducted documentary research, and organized the shoot.
Secured filming and broadcast permissions.
Provided on-site translation (French-Spanish and Spanish-French) for the interview.

— Watch the report → Ferran Adrià

Low-Cost Airlines Investigation — TSR, 2005

Documentary research and market studies.
Analyzed the aviation sector, developed testing protocols, and validated them with experts.
Conducted field tests and investigations.
Identified and selected witnesses.

— Watch the report → Cheap Flights: Who Pays the Price?

Strawberry Farming in Huelva, Spain — TSR, 2005

Extensive field research and investigation.
Identified and selected testimonies: exploitation of seasonal workers from Eastern Europe.
Investigated illegal land use in the Doñana Natural Reserve.
Examined the impact of regional over-exploitation of water resources and land contamination.
Coordinated pesticide purchase and analysis with the cantonal chemist of Geneva.

Follow-up to the first in-depth investigation in Switzerland on this topic (2004), broadcast by À bon entendeur on TSR. Archive not available online.

Stem Cell Banking — 36.9°, RTS, 2006

Documentary and scientific research.
Identified and selected witnesses and experts.

— Watch the report → Should We Freeze Baby’s Genes?

Organ Transplants: Swiss Shortage and the Spanish Model — 36.9°, RTS, 2006

Documentary research and legislative frameworks.
Compared organ donation shortages in Switzerland and Spain.
Organized filming in Madrid (Dr. Rafael Matesanz): secured hospital and regional health office permissions.
Provided on-site French-Spanish translation.

— Watch the report → Organ Donations: Swiss Shortage and the Spanish Case

50th Anniversary of TSR, Open Day — TSR, 2005

Largest tasting event in French-speaking Switzerland: 2,000 participants. Focus on beverages, sodas, sugar, and colors.

Proposed, designed, and organized the test: protocol and survey questionnaires.
Analyzed data and survey feedback.
Proposed and researched interlocutors for the segments “Colors: Drink, You’re Being Manipulated” and “Soda in Colors.”

— Watch the report → Tasting at TSR Open Day

Urban Cycling Mobility Test — TSR, 2004

Proposed, designed, and developed the research protocol.
Conducted documentary research, data analysis, and reviewed academic works on urban planning.
Organized filming and field investigations.
Collaborated with the Mobility Observatory, Geneva.

— Watch the report → Cycling: Ranking of the Most Bike-Friendly Cities in Romandie

First Investigation in Switzerland on Spanish Strawberries — TSR, 2004

“Spanish Strawberries: The Shame in the Punnet”

Market research, field investigation, and witness testimonies.
Collaborated with Spanish agricultural unions and associations.
Worked with the cantonal chemist to analyze pesticides.
Organized and conducted on-site filming.

— Watch the report → Spanish Strawberries: The Shame in the Punnet

First Swiss Test on the Origin of Kebab Meat — TSR, 2003

“The Lamb Had a Corkscrew Tail…”

Proposed and organized tests, collaborated with laboratories.
Identified interlocutors and organized filming and interviews in Berlin.

— Watch the report → Kebab Test: The Lamb Had a Corkscrew Tail

Autrement dit — TSR, 2003

In-depth reporting and biweekly magazine.

— View archive selection → Autrement dit – Program Archive

Success of Swiss DJs Abroad — Fax Culture, TSR, 2003

Proposed the topic, researched guests, and prepared briefs.
Selected the author and book (Laurent Garnier).

— Watch the show → Success of Swiss DJs in Capital Cities

The Dog and Its Master — TSR, 2002

Filming, interviews, and production.

— Watch the report → The Dog and Its Master

III. Personal / Freelance Investigations and Projects Linked to My Role at the Ticino Socialist Party

Commodity Trading Multinationals in Switzerland — 2026 (Publication Forthcoming)

In 2026, I began a documentary research project on commodity trading multinationals based in Switzerland, primarily in Geneva and Zug. The goal: to compile in one place all legal proceedings involving these companies. The research focuses on the top six firms, with an expanded scope to cover the top 20 in the sector.

Argo 1 Scandal — 2017

In February 2017, a large-scale operation by the Federal Police (Fedpol) and the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) in the Lugano region led to the arrest of a security agent accused of recruiting for the Islamic State. This individual worked for Argo 1, a small Ticino agency that had been directly commissioned by the canton—without a tender—to monitor three reception centers for refugees and asylum seekers.

As the Communication Manager for the Ticino Socialist Party, and leveraging my experience as a Media Researcher (Recherchiste) at RTS, I conducted an independent investigation into this case. The findings served as the basis for the party’s positions, parliamentary questions, and the establishment of a Grand Council inquiry commission in November 2017.

For more details:

“Easy Permits” Scandal — 2017

In February 2017, the canton of Ticino was rocked by the “easy permits” scandal: falsified or fraudulently obtained residence permits were being sold to irregular foreign workers, primarily through construction companies, particularly in the scaffolding sector. The case, which began with a routine inspection at a Sopraceneri scaffolding company, implicated the Migration Office (SPOP) of the Department of Institutions.

As the Communication Manager for the Ticino Socialist Party, and building on my experience as a Media Researcher (Recherchiste) at RTS, I conducted an independent investigation into this affair, following my work on the Argo 1 case. The findings supported the party’s positions and its calls for stronger labor market controls.

→ Learn more

Bárcenas Affair: Swiss Funds and Corruption in Spain’s Popular Party — 2013

Documentary research and monitoring of the corruption scandal that shook Spain’s Popular Party (PP), linked to Swiss bank accounts and in collaboration with Spanish investigators.

Italian Immigrants: Forgotten Victims of Asbestos — February 2012

Monitored the trial of asbestos victims against Eternit Italy in Turin. In the first instance, the Turin Court sentenced Swiss industrialist Stephan Schmidheiny and Belgian baron Jean-Louis de Cartier to 16 years in prison for causing an “intentional health and environmental disaster” that resulted in the deaths of approximately 2,000 people. The two majority shareholders of Eternit Italy were ordered to compensate some 6,000 civil parties, the Piedmont region, and the city of Casale Monferrato, which housed an Eternit production site until 1986 and has recorded 1,600 victims to date.

Italian Immigrants in Niederurnen: Forgotten Victims of Asbestos (Vigousse, unristretto! archives, February 24, 2012)

Note: This article covers the first-instance verdict (February 2012), the only stage I followed. Subsequently, the sentence was increased to 18 years on appeal (June 2013), before the Italian Court of Cassation acquitted Stephan Schmidheiny in November 2014, ruling that the facts were time-barred. Baron de Cartier had died shortly before the appeal verdict, which ended the proceedings against him.

Sergio Ermotti’s Troubled Past — December 2011

Documentary research and archive work on Sergio Ermotti’s tenure at UniCredit, where he served as the second-in-command to Alessandro Profumo. The investigation focused on the scandal involving the bank’s encouragement of clients to purchase derivative products, resulting in a total loss of €1 billion. It also examined Ermotti’s departure from UniCredit following Profumo’s resignation in 2010, amid a judicial block in Italy on €245 million linked to the entry of Libyan shareholders into the bank’s capital.

Published by Vigousse. Archives on unristretto!

Suspected Conflicts of Interest at the Musée de l’Élysée — 2011

In 2011, I conducted research and an investigation whose initial articles were published on my site unristretto! before being picked up by the Fribourg daily La Liberté and Rue89. The investigation focused on potential conflicts of interest in the management of the Musée de l’Élysée in Lausanne.

Articles published by La Liberté:

Penetration of Italian Mafia Organizations in Switzerland — 2011

Monitored the case of Italian mafia organizations establishing themselves in Switzerland, with a particular focus on Ticino. Notable cases included Operation “Grande Muraglia” (Luigi Terenzio, who had resided in Lugano) and Operation “Apogeo”, which revealed ramifications as far as Umbria. The latter led to the seizure of €100 million in assets and 16 arrests, including that of Giuseppe D’Urso, owner of the Ticino-based company GES Global SA.

Investigation excerpts published by Vigousse, September 2011 (unristretto! archives)

The Mysterious Interview of Paolo Borsellino — 2008–2012

From 2008 to 2012, I conducted a personal investigation into the mystery surrounding the interview of Italian judge Paolo Borsellino, filmed by French journalists Fabrizio Calvi (pen name of Jean-Claude Zagdoun) and Jean-Pierre Moscardo two months before his assassination. The interview was filmed on May 21, 1992, and Borsellino was killed on July 19, 1992.

This investigation placed the enigmatic interview—filmed in 1992 but only revealed in 2009—within a war between major European media groups, against a backdrop of escalating television and film industry practices driven by Italian businessmen responsible for massive bankruptcies, such as that of Sasea, based in Geneva in 1992, and a network of similar schemes.

It led me to sign a contract for the publication of the book « Borsellino Souvenir » with the Italian publisher Aliberti, though the publication was ultimately canceled. Having regained the rights, I plan to publish it soon in another form.

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