Program BISS - Workshops
Story-Based inquiry:
Luuk Sengers is one of the original developers of Story-Based Inquiry which is the leading method for investigative journalism and is used by editorial teams and training programmes all over the world.
Content: How do you organise journalistic research from start to finish? Story-Based Inquiry offers a method in the madness. For every important research decision, it offers a technique that can be applied quickly without compromising thoroughness. You will also learn to ask yourself the right questions. And you will be introduced to applications that increase efficiency and fun. The method is ideal for good communication between members of a research team or between journalists and editors-in-chief.
Investigative interviewing:
Daniel Drepper ist investigativer Journalist und leitet seit 2022 die Recherchekooperation von NDR, WDR und Süddeutscher Zeitung. ERrist Vorsitzender im Netzwerk Recherche.
Content: This full-day workshop practices how to turn strangers into sources by reconsidering investigative interviewing. Interview techniques tend to focus on on-the-record conversations and the objective of obtaining quotes. When it comes to approaching strangers to become sources (investigative interviewing), the rules are completely different. This training will inspire you to rethink ways of approaching possible sources. It covers everything you need to know about the human side of investigative reporting. The workshop will enable you to win the cooperation of sources and to report deeply on important wrongdoing. No investigative reporting experience is necessary and all levels of prior knowledge are welcome.
OSINT - Open Source Intelligence (essentials):
Paul Myers, a senior journalist with the BBC, is one of Europe’s leading open-source intelligence specialists. He runs the researchclinic.net website and is always developing new investigation strategies to cope with the changing digital landscape.
Content: Manipulating Google with language / Advanced filters / AI Search / time travel (archives) / Saving evidence / Jigsaw identification / Case study / Possibilities of working with images
OSINT - Open source Intelligence (deeper dive):
Paul Myers.
Content: Images, deeper dive / Searching socialnetworks / Business research: Databases – Finding employees / Domain and hosting investigation /
Researching Crypto:
Rebecca Zinke is a IT and Forensics expert. She is head of the IT-Forensics and Investigations Lab of Phalanx-IT.
Content: Crypto is not as anonymous as most people think. Rebecca Zinke will show you the best insights to investigate crypto with free tools. She will also show what paid tools can add to your investigation and where it is best to co-operate with experts.
Mastering Investigative Research:
Combining Data, OSINT, and Storytelling for impactful Journalism.
Christina Brause is an award winning investigative data journalist. She is Investigator in Residence at the business
data research company North Data, where she combines data analysis and investigative techniques to uncover hidden connections and patterns across industries.
Content: In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, investigative journalism demands a seamless integration of data analysis, Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), and on-the-ground reporting to uncover hidden truths and deliver compelling narratives. This workshop is designed to equip journalists with the skills to effectively combine these elements, organize their investigations, and leverage cutting-edge tools to enhance their reporting.
Participants will explore theoretical frameworks by analyzing articles that successfully merge data, OSINT, and investigative techniques. They will learn how these components interact to drive impactful investigations. Practical sessions will focus on strategies to stay organized, manage newsroom collaboration, and access resources even in teams lacking technical expertise. Attendees will also gain insights into essential tools.
Whether you’re working in a small newsroom or tackling large-scale investigations, this workshop will provide actionable methods and resources to elevate your journalistic practice.
Verification:
Jan Ludwig is an expert on verification and head of the OSINT-team of Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ).
Content: Does this video of an explosion actually come from downtown Istanbul? Is this image of civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip real or was it created by artificial intelligence? Has Putin really sent nuclear-armed submarines ready for action to the Baltic Sea, as reported by media worldwide? These are exactly the kind of questions that verification expert Oliver Klein has to answer for ZDF every day. In this seminar, you will learn OSINT-techniques and -tools for fact-checking and also geolocation and chronolacation of images and videos - in other words, to answer the question of where and when images were taken. We will not only focus on the analysis of image and video files and EXIF data, but you will also learn strategies for search engines, online tools for geodata, sun position, various map services, etc. Also facial recognition and geolocation-tools that work with artificial intelligence will play an important role. Speaking of artificial intelligence: the seminar will also cover the question of how to identify AI images. Participants of the workshop can try out the tools and techniques shown right away. The seminar is aimed at journalists, editors, bloggers and anyone involved in the research and publication of information online.
Finding Things using Generative AI for Journalistic Research
Jan Eggers is a data journalist at ARD/Hessischer Rundfunk in Frankfurt am Main, and has been quite busy in the last few years showing fellow journalists how AI can make their work easier. He enjoys debating whether R or Python is the better tool for the job – depending on the day.
Content: What if a machine could watch hours of video for you, sift through old documents, and pull out exactly what you need to complete your story? AI can help you geolocate images in seconds, generate smart Google searches, and even put together a research dossier in no time.
It might feel like magic, but it’s not – understanding how the tech works is the key to using it well. And, as with any tool, the more you practice, the better you get. We’ll go hands-on with real examples, exercises, and use cases. Bring your own device (BYOD) to try it out yourself!
Investigating the darknet:
Daniel Moßbrucker lives and works in Berlin as a journalist specialising in surveillance, data protection and internet regulation. In 2022, he was awarded the Otto Brenner Prize for innovative media projects with a team from NDR and "Spiegel" for his darknet research into paedophile crime.
Content: The "darknet" is often the subject of journalistic reports - but hardly any journalists have ever been there themselves. This workshop provides insights into the "dark side of the internet".
Its aim is to enable journalists to report from the darknet in future by researching it themselves. The training is practically orientated and shows participants how to access the darknet themselves, where it is worth researching and which communication strategies are promising. In addition to practical tips, the technical basics of encryption and anonymisation are also discussed, so that participants can also learn something "en passant" to strengthen their own digital security.
The focus is on research in criminal milieus - cybercrime, drug and arms trafficking, product piracy - but the seminar also sheds light on why darknet technologies can be vital for media professionals in repressive environments in some areas. (Note: The colloquial term "darknet" is understood in the seminar as onion services in the Tor network; other darknets are only discussed in passing).
Participation may be particularly worthwhile for people whose work involves researching the topics of cybercrime, political extremism, drug and arms trafficking or product piracy. (The topic of paedocrime will be discussed, but for ethical and legal reasons will not be explored in depth in practical exercises).
Key questions:
- How does the darknet work and why does it guarantee technical anonymity?
- How do you access the Darknet? Which research strategies are promising?
- How do you communicate in encrypted form on the darknet?
- What legal and professional ethical questions do journalists face when conducting research?
- What role do digital cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Monero play on the darknet and how can they be used for research in blockchains?
- How do you work with the live operating system Tails?
- What potential do darknet technologies offer for journalism in politically repressive countries and in Germany?
On the second day of the workshop, the topics of the first day will be deepened with further exercises. Participants will also receive an introduction to the anonymous Tails operating system, which is indispensable for professional darknet research. Previous knowledge of Tails is not necessary.
Technical requirements:
Participants must bring at least one laptop on which the Tor browser can be installed and used. A second laptop on which "Tails" can be used in parallel is recommended for the second workshop day. Furthermore, all participants of the second workshop day are asked to bring an empty USB stick (at least 4 GB).