2/12/2026

Reflection on Intentionality and Biases

  • Importance of being intentional, respected, aware of biases, and culturally competent.

  • Weight of accuracy in journalism as a paramount value.

    • Reminder to apply concepts learned in fault lines modules to journalistic exercises.

Open Source Investigations and Intelligence

  • Introduction to open source investigations and open source intelligence (OSINT).

  • Definition of Open Source Information (OSI):

    • Any information publicly available through request, purchase, or search.

    • Examples include online resources and documents obtained through records requests.

    • Acquisition of information on opposition figures in Russia as a credible use of open sources in investigations.

  • Types of evidence:

    • Digital and physical evidence.

    • Examples discussed related to identifying missiles and evidence from war zones.

Characteristics of Open Source Investigations

  • OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) defined:

    • Derived from publicly available mainstream sources.

    • Accessible without secret documentation or special clearance.

  • Emphasis on the need for journalists to:

    • Stay updated on new tools for investigation.

    • Develop problem-solving skills and organization.

    • Properly name and organize files, especially for multimedia production.

Acronyms Explained

  • Introduction of various acronyms associated with intelligence:

    • OSINT - Open Source Intelligence (specific to human and digital intelligence).

    • HUMINT - Human Intelligence.

    • SIGINT - Signals Intelligence.

    • IMINT - Imagery Intelligence from images.

    • SOINT - Social Media Intelligence.

    • OSI - Online Only Sources of Intelligence and Open Source Information.

Historical Context of Open Source Intelligence

  • Emergence with the rise of social media and digital connectivity.

  • Example: WikiLeaks and its significant document dumps exposing government actions and corruption.

  • Allowance for journalists to connect multiple pieces of evidence.

    • Discussion on Epstein files and ongoing investigations demonstrating the expansive potential of open source investigations.

Use Cases and Best Practices for Open Source Investigations

  • The role of organizations like Bellingcat in open source journalism.

  • Assignments in class to read and analyze Bellingcat's work.

  • Ethical considerations in open source intelligence applications.

    • Development of judgment to differentiate data from intelligence.

    • Healthy skepticism: understanding that not all data collected is trustworthy.

    • Anonymity and protection of sources as a key responsibility.

Ethical Considerations

  • Important aspects of ethics in open source investigations:

    • Ensuring the protection of sources.

    • Procedures for verifying information accuracy.

    • Recording investigation activities step by step for accountability.

Real-World Application of Open Source Intelligence

  • Various users of open source information:

    • Journalists and media organizations.

    • Communities of niche interests.

    • Advocacy organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International handling sensitive cases.

    • Government intelligence agencies (FBI, CIA, Mossad).

    • Private investigators and military bodies using OSINT.

Challenges in Open Source Intelligence

  • Flood of information challenges:

    • Differentiation between credible and non-credible sources is crucial.

    • Effective use of tools for image analysis and video verification.

  • Specific investigative cases discussed (e.g., George Floyd incident, tracking violence through social media.)

Examination of Evidence

  • Evidence defined in journalistic terms:

    • Connection between diverse data points (e.g., emails) to build a substantial narrative or case.

    • Understanding the limitations of individual pieces of evidence.

    • Need for robust judicial processes in addressing criminal allegations.

Open Source Tools in Investigations

  • Practices for analyzing images and data:

    • Techniques for geolocation using various information sources (e.g., vegetation, public records, seasonality).

    • Discussions around practical exercises for extracting meaningful insights from visual information.

Interactive Class Component

  • Engagement in GeoGuessr as a practical application exercise for geolocation and observation.

    • Focus on utilizing critical thinking and analysis skills to derive conclusions based on visible clues in images.

  • Encouragement for participation and active engagement in class exercises to solidify understanding of open source investigations and applications.