Open-Source Intelligence

Advanced internet research has become a key part of the investigative journalist’s toolkit. Our training in Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) gives participants an understanding of how to access open-source information that is freely available online but is often hidden, providing powerful tools for verification, fact-checking and deep investigative research.

This course covers a wide range of techniques and objectives that are included in the broad area of OSINT. We’ll look at the best practices for setting up a new OSINT project; techniques for analysing different social media platforms; using digital tools for efficient fact-checking and verification; and leveraging satellite imagery and other techniques for geolocating incidents, footage or images.

These skills can speed up research on a subject, group, company or person significantly, helping to identify leads, sources, links and evidence, while freeing up time to craft a compelling story.

Technical Requirements

This course will need you to have the following software/apps/tools on your computer:

Zoom app
Camera and audio

This course will be hosted on Zoom. To find out more about how we use Zoom, please check out our Zoom InfoSec page.

Course Structure

Exercises and additional resources will be provided to supplement the training between sessions.

Important

Our training is not recorded: if you miss a session, it is lost – you cannot watch a recording of it, nor will you be allowed to attend that session at a later date.

29 October 2024 – OSINT: Before You Start

09:00–11:00

This two-hour class guides participants through the essentials of starting an OSINT investigation, providing practical tips and tools to keep research focused and efficient. The course covers setting parameters to avoid time-wasting and falling into online rabbit holes, effective project management techniques, and best practices for documenting findings. Additionally, participants will learn how to compartmentalise and set up 'sock-puppet' accounts for research purposes. Alongside these practical skills, the class delves into the journalistic ethics of balancing public interest with privacy and the ethical implications of investigative work. A crucial component of the course is its strong emphasis on information security. Participants will learn to understand their digital footprint, conduct investigations safely, assess risks, and implement best practices for protecting themselves and their sources from hostile actors.

29 October 2024 – Introduction to Digital Tools

13:30–15:30

Open source research skills are in demand. But what does it mean to use open sources and how do they help digital investigations? This introductory session will prepare participants for the course ahead. It will deliver an overview of what tools and methods can be employed to start or develop an investigation and where to go for inspiration and resources. It will also help participants to look critically at the use of evidence from open sources, work collaboratively with other investigators and consider how to ensure investigations make an impact.

30 October 2024 – Verification & Fact-Checking

09:00–11:00

Misinformation ruins lives. Whether it is harmful advice about vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic, or incendiary messages about the identity of the alleged Southport attacker over the summer, the consequences of allowing false or misleading content to spread unchallenged are becoming clearer for everyone to see. In this session, led by Joseph O'Leary from Full Fact, you'll be shown some of the tools and processes fact checkers use to think critically about information online and verify whether or not it is true.

30 October 2024 – How to Investigate Using Social Media: Part One

13:30–15:00

Understanding how to effectively use social media is crucial for investigative journalists. These platforms offer a wealth of data and can often be sources of hidden stories. This course, part of a two-part series, offers an in-depth guide to using Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok (Part One) and Telegram, LinkedIn, Instagram and Discord (Part Two). It's designed for both beginners and those wishing to broaden their investigative skillset. The session provides a comprehensive overview of these platforms' features and how they can be leveraged to uncover valuable information. Content and format: live demonstrations of investigative techniques on each platform; hands-on exercises, using advanced search tools to practice analysing digital footprints; case studies showcasing successful investigations. These activities are tailored to enhance practical skills and prepare attendees for real-world applications.

31 October 2024 – Satellite Imagery & Geolocation

09:00–11:00

In this two-hour class, participants will become familiar with the fundamentals of geolocation and learn the essential tools and skills for carrying out geolocation work. We will walk through the stages of a successful geolocation, accompanied throughout by demonstrations, participatory exercises and real-life examples. Attention will be given to the importance of satellite imagery - understanding what satellite images are, where to obtain them, and how best to utilise them. We will then discuss how to geolocate an event with satellite imagery, mapping a location using images from the ground, scanning a satellite image for that location, and producing visual evidence. Through this workshop, participants will learn how to apply OSINT research methods to the challenges of geolocation, and begin developing a specific geolocation skillset.

31 October 2024 – How to Investigate Using Social Media: Part Two

13:30–15:00

Trainer Biographies:

Tansy Hoskins

Tansy Hoskins is an award-winning journalist and author who investigates the global fashion industry. This work has taken her to Bangladesh, Kenya, Macedonia, and the Topshop warehouses in Solihull. Her latest book is The Anti-Capitalist Book Of Fashion.

Guy Porter

Guy Porter has a background in digital investigations, data analysis and research for campaign organisations Global Witness, Avaaz and Purpose, and training and development for the Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJ), Public Media Alliance and Goldsmiths, University of London.

Sarah Cammarata

Sarah Cammarata is an OSINT practitioner and corporate intelligence analyst, investigating white collar crime. Before moving to London from Washington, DC to pursue a Master’s in War Studies from King’s College London, she worked as a reporter at POLITICO and Stars and Stripes, where she covered defence, Congress and US military branches.

Duncan Salkovskis

Duncan Salkovskis is an open source researcher specialising in geolocation. As geolocation lead at casualty recording NGO Airwars, he has documented allegations of civilian harm across conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Ukraine, Gaza, Libya, Yemen and Somalia.

Joe O’Leary

Joe has been fact checking UK politics and policy for over a decade. He has delivered training in fact checking to civil servants, statisticians, journalists and businesses, both in the UK and internationally, as well as designing accredited courses in data analysis for the FE sector.

29 October 2024 09.00–11.00 Timezone: GMT (UK Time)
29 October 2024 13.30–15.30 Timezone: GMT (UK Time)
30 October 2024 09.00–11.00 Timezone: GMT (UK Time)
30 October 2024 13.30–15.00 Timezone: GMT (UK Time)
31 October 2024 09.00–11.00 Timezone: GMT (UK Time)
31 October 2024 13.30–15.00 Timezone: GMT (UK Time)

Timezone: GMT (UK Time)

Location: Zoom meeting