Verifying Footage from Ukraine: Open-source methods, tips and tools

Are you reporting on conflicts and collecting evidence from war areas like Ukraine? Do you want to diversify your skills and tools to verify digital content? This webinar focuses on open-source intelligence (OSINT) methods and free tools to access information that helps with conflict verification.

OSINT investigators Tom Jarvis and Robin Taylor walk you through cases and practical examples from their geolocation and verification work on the war in Ukraine, and explain how to establish facts in a world of information chaos.

The webinar includes:

  • verification of digital content through open source methods and tools,
  • geolocation methods and tools (determining location),
  • chronolocation strategies (determining date and time),
  • tools in action: Overpass Turbo, Image Composit Editor, NASA’s FIRMS (Fire Information for Resource Management System) and more,
  • ethical issues with geolocating images in conflict areas,
  • investigators’ mental health when verifying harmful material.

Speakers

Tom Jarvis

Tom Jarvis is an OSINT analyst with an interest in geospatial data, conflict analysis, and human rights accountability. Tom leads the Tibet Research Project, an open source analysis project geolocating Tibetan prison and detention facilities.

Robin Taylor

Robin Taylor is an open-source investigator with experience in conflict and environmental analysis, and a side-interest in tracking ships. Robin leads the Tibet Research Project in collaboration with Tom, and is the founder of the Investigation Lab, a website about the practice of investigating in the public interest.

About the Organiser

Tactical Tech is an international non-profit organisation that engages with citizens and civil-society organisations to explore and mitigate the impacts of technology on society. Exposing the Invisible is a Tactical Tech project that develops resources, training and collaborations promoting investigation as one of the most important forms of public engagement.


This event is part of the Collaborative and Investigative Journalism Initiative (CIJI) project co-funded by the European Commission under the Pilot Project: "Supporting investigative journalism and media freedom in the EU" (DG CONNECT).

This text reflects the author’s view and the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

First published on September 7, 2022