The Power of OSINT in Modern Journalism
Today, journalism is no longer limited to what reporters can physically see or access. With so much information available online, a new method has become essential in reporting, Open Source Intelligence (OSINT). OSINT is simply the use of publicly available information, like social media posts, satellite images, and tracking data, to investigate and understand events. It has become especially important in conflict reporting, where journalists often cannot safely reach the scene.
In a guest lecture at AUD, Feras Dalatey, a Syrian journalist at Reuters, explained that OSINT is “information that is open and available for everyone.” He said that it does not replace traditional journalism but works with it. Reporters still depend on human sources, but OSINT helps confirm and strengthen what they find.
He explained that OSINT can be used in three ways: to discover a story, to verify information, or to support an investigation from start to finish. For example, he described how in one of his cases he noticed a private jet making repeated trips between Damascus and Abu Dhabi using Flightradar24. That unusual pattern became the starting point of an investigation. Later, satellite images helped confirm where the plane had actually taken off from, even when its signal disappeared. In another case, tools like Google Earth Pro were used to compare images over time, helping confirm that a mass grave had been moved. These examples show how OSINT can both reveal and verify information.
OSINT has also been used in major cases. One of the most heartbreaking is the case of Hind Rajab, a young girl killed in Gaza. At first, the details were unclear, with different versions of what happened. This is where OSINT played a major role.
Investigators from Forensic Architecture focused on visual and spatial analysis. They collected photos and videos from the area and matched them with satellite images to identify the exact location of the car Hind was in. By comparing buildings, roads, and visible damage, they were able to precisely geolocate the scene. They also created a timeline by matching when each image or video was recorded, helping them understand the sequence of events.
At the same time, Earshot analyzed the audio from the emergency call Hind made while trapped. They isolated the sound of gunfire in the background and studied its pattern. By examining the type of gunfire and how it sounded over time, they were able to estimate the distance between the shooters and the car. Their analysis suggested that the gunfire was coming from relatively close range and continued over a period of time, rather than being a single random shot.
When these two methods were combined, visual reconstruction from Forensic Architecture and audio analysis from Earshot, they created a much clearer picture. The findings suggested that the car was clearly identifiable in its location and that it had been under sustained fire. This level of detail would not have been possible without OSINT, especially since journalists could not safely access the area.
A similar use of OSINT can be seen in the killing of journalists in southern Lebanon. Investigations by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch relied on digital evidence to understand what happened.
First, they used geolocation techniques. Videos taken by journalists and nearby witnesses were analyzed, and landmarks such as hills, roads, and buildings were matched with satellite images. This allowed investigators to confirm the exact position where the journalists were standing.
Next, they worked on timeline reconstruction. Multiple videos from different angles were synchronized based on sound and visual cues, such as the moment of impact. This helped determine exactly when the strike happened and how events unfolded in real time.
They also carried out weapon and direction analysis. By examining the damage in the videos and images, such as the angle of the explosion and the direction debris was thrown, they were able to estimate where the strike came from. Some investigations also used shadow analysis and environmental details to confirm timing.
Based on this OSINT evidence, investigators found that the journalists were clearly visible in an open area and were not hiding or moving quickly. The analysis also suggested that the strike came from a known direction and was not random. These findings raised doubts about claims that the attack was “accidental”.
One of the biggest strengths of OSINT is that it is transparent. Since the data is publicly available, others can verify it, making the conclusions more reliable. Tools like SunCalc can even help estimate time by analyzing shadows, while platforms like X (Twitter) help track how information spreads.
However, OSINT also comes with challenges. There are lot of false or misleading content online, so everything must be carefully checked. This is why, as Dalatey explained, OSINT works best when combined with traditional reporting, such as interviews and eyewitness accounts.
In the end, OSINT has helped how journalism works. It allows reporters to investigate events even when they cannot be there in person. More importantly, it helps uncover the truth and hold people accountable. Whether through tracking flights, analyzing satellite images, or studying audio and video, OSINT has become an essential part of modern journalism.
For those interested in seeing OSINT in action, the investigations listed below show how researchers were able to reconstruct events using publicly available information.
Trigger Warning: One of the recordings include the audio of Hind Rajab’s case during the attack, which may be distressing to some listeners.
Hind Rajab Case (Gaza) – Visual Reconstruction: Forensic Architecture Investigation https://www.forensicarchitecture.org/investigation/the-killing-of-hind-rajab
Hind Rajab Audio Analysis: Earshot Investigation https://www.earshot.ngo/investigations/the-killing-of-layan-hamada-and-hind-rajab
Lebanese Journalists Attack: Amnesty International Report https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/12/lebanon-deadly-israeli-attack-on-journalists-must-be-investigated-as-a-war-crime/
