Prerequisites

• Interest in investigative journalism or digital research.
• Good proficiency in using computers and the internet.
• Basic analytical skills.

Course Description

Investigative journalism no longer relies solely on traditional sources—open data has become a digital trail that can be tracked and analyzed. With the advancement of artificial intelligence technologies, open-source investigations (OSINT) have evolved from simple digital searches into advanced investigative tools capable of uncovering hidden patterns, tracking information across borders, and turning data into evidence.

Course Objective

By the end of this course, participants will:
• Understand methodologies of investigations using open sources.
• Develop advanced research skills using AI-powered tools.
• Analyze digital data and identify patterns.
• Verify images, videos, and geolocations.
• Strengthen digital identity protection during investigative work.
• Build evidence-based investigative reports using digital sources.

Course Outline

• Introduction to open-source investigations:
- The concept of OSINT and its evolution in journalism.
- The role of artificial intelligence in digital investigations.
- Types of open data and their sources.
- Limitations of using open-source intelligence.

• Data collection and investigative automation:
- Advanced search techniques.
- Reverse image and video search.
- Collect data from digital platforms.
- Use automation tools to track information.

• Advanced analysis of digital data:
- Identify patterns and relationships within data.
- Social network analysis.
- Interpret unstructured data.
- Apply AI in data analysis.

• Digital verification and visual analysis:
- Verify images and videos.
- Geolocation techniques.
- Analyze satellite imagery.
- Verify digital documents and records.

• Digital security and ethics:
- Manage the investigator’s digital footprint.
- Secure browsing techniques.
- Protect sources and information.
- Legal and ethical considerations.

• Building the investigative report:
- Structure the data-driven investigations.
- Document the digital evidence.
- Write the investigative story.
- Present findings professionally.

Course Benefits

• A graduation certificate by Al Jazeera Media Institute.
• Final applied project (an investigative report using open-source intelligence).