Collaboration with the Associated Press brings together journalists and open source analysts for workshop in Seoul

Open source investigations and analysis are ubiquitous in today’s reporting environment. Journalists and analysts working with open source information collaborate, add evidence to reporting and corroborate (or dispute) each other’s work in ways that can greatly benefit the public conversation. When they interact in a reporting environment, however, the intricacies of their respective craft can be opaque. There is a need to create more space for practical exchanges between journalists and open source analysts.

The Stanley Center and the Associated Press co-organized a workshop in Seoul, South Korea, to encourage constructive interaction between analysts and journalists in order to strengthen the quality of independent reporting and public information on specialized topics, including nuclear weapons issues, conventional conflict, and human rights. Convening in March amid the backdrop of increased military exercises in the region, the workshop also sought to enhance understanding of the security environment on the Korean Peninsula.

Experienced open source investigators and analysts met with AP journalists and editors, as well as other AP-affiliated journalists reporting in Asia,  for four days of discussions, training, and exchange, followed by a field trip to the Demilitarized Zone between South and North Korea.  Participants shared key practices in open source analysis and journalism, examined case studies, and discussed real-world application of skills. Agenda topics included open source investigation techniques, satellite imagery analysis, verification approaches, applied ethics, editorial considerations, and the implications of technology development for the field.

“Both journalists and analysts can benefit from training and dialogue, especially as the field of open source newsgathering, investigation, and analysis expands,” notes Devon Terrill, Senior Program Officer for Journalism and Media at the Stanley Center. “This kind of tradecraft exchange is one way to help enhance the quality, accuracy, and ethics of this increasingly influential work.”

The value of such spaces for journalists and open source analysts to gather was confirmed by workshop participants. 

A journalist at the workshop remarked, “The highlight of the workshop was the opportunity to discuss and enhance our journalism practices for the better. It was an enlightening experience to learn about the extensive time and effort invested in analyzing satellite imagery and large datasets to uncover events in different parts of the world. I shared my findings and lessons with my colleagues and editors, and they showed interest in collaboration with experts and embracing current journalism trends.”

One of the open source investigators who participated in the workshop and led training sessions shared:  

So honoured to present in Seoul to an epic community of journalists and experts and share the work we’ve done through the volunteer @ocelliproject, and work we’re doing at @Cen4infoRes to investigate wrongdoing around the world. Thanks for having me @StanleyConnect. pic.twitter.com/dAvQLbKmfc

— Benjamin Strick (@BenDoBrown) March 31, 2024

The concept for the workshop built on prior work by the Stanley Center exploring ethical practices in open source analysis and journalism, including the publications, “Feeling the Burden: Ethical Challenges and Practices in Open Source Analysis and Journalism” and “Setting Your Moral Compass: A Workbook for Applied Ethics in OSINT”.  The workshop was also informed by insights gleaned from a journalism network analysis conducted by the Stanley Center and Impact Architects aiming to understand the needs and challenges for journalists covering nuclear weapons-related issues.

An interdisciplinary volume recently published by World Scientific and edited by Henrietta Wilson, Olamide Samuel, and Dan Plesch, offers an in-depth examination of contemporary practices and concerns with open source analysis for those seeking to learn more.