Open source reporting is journalism that uses any publicly available information to investigate stories. It is at the heart of accountability journalism, challenging official narratives and investigating human rights violations.
What started out as a niche interest for amateurs and specialists has quickly grown into a key aspect of how mainstream news organizations verify and investigate important events transparently.
This CNN Academy online course on open source intelligence (OSINT) is led by Gianluca Mezzofiore and Katie Polglase from CNN’s investigative team. It is designed to equip participants with the skills needed to effectively gather and analyze open source information. It covers crucial topics such as verification, which is essential for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of information obtained from open sources. Participants will also learn the techniques of reverse image searching, a powerful tool for tracing the origins of images and verifying their authenticity.
The course delves into geolocation, explaining what it is and how it can be used to pinpoint the location of events or objects using various data sources. Building an open source toolkit is another key component, providing participants with the knowledge to assemble a set of tools and resources that can aid in their investigations. Additionally, the course explores the use of satellite images, demonstrating how these can be utilized to gather valuable information from a bird’s-eye view. Throughout the course, Gianluca Mezzofiore and Katie Polglase share insights into how CNN has successfully employed open source intelligence in its investigations, offering real-world examples and practical advice.
