Verifying Information from the Web: Lessons from Journalistic Best Practices and Bellingcat

In the digital age, where misinformation can spread like wildfire, journalists face a critical challenge: verifying the accuracy of information sourced from the web before publishing. The consequences of getting it wrong can be severe, ranging from damaged reputations to the dissemination of harmful falsehoods. Fortunately, there are tried-and-tested strategies for verification, and few exemplify these better than the investigative journalism collective, Bellingcat.

This blog will explore general techniques for verifying online information and delve into the innovative methods used by Bellingcat to uncover the truth in even the murkiest of circumstances.

The Importance of Verification in Journalism

For journalists, accuracy is paramount. Trust in media depends on reliable reporting, and the rise of digital tools has created both opportunities and challenges. While the internet offers unprecedented access to information, it also hosts a minefield of fabricated content, manipulated media, and agenda-driven narratives. Verifying information from the web requires a meticulous approach combining traditional journalistic principles with modern technological tools.

General Techniques for Verifying Online Information

1. Evaluate the Source

Credibility: Is the website, organisation, or individual a trusted source of information? Established outlets, government websites, or institutions with a track record of accuracy are more reliable.
Transparency: Reliable sources disclose their authorship, methodologies, and affiliations.

2. Cross-Verification

Seek confirmation from multiple reputable sources to identify consistencies or discrepancies.
Ensure the timelines, details, and context align across sources.

3. Use Verification Tools

Fact-checking services: Websites like Snopes, Full Fact, or PolitiFact can debunk common myths and rumours.
Reverse image search: Tools like Google Reverse Image Search or TinEye help identify the origins of visuals.
Video analysis: InVID and other tools allow journalists to check for signs of video manipulation and confirm timestamps and locations.

4. Check for Bias and Context

Assess whether the source presents the information neutrally or appears to push a particular agenda.
Understand the broader context in which the information exists to avoid cherry-picking or misrepresentation.

5. Consult Experts

Contacting specialists in the relevant field can help verify technical or complex claims.

Bellingcat: A Masterclass in Online Verification

Who Are Bellingcat?

Bellingcat is an independent collective of investigative journalists and researchers known for pioneering open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques. Founded in 2014 by Eliot Higgins, Bellingcat has earned global recognition for its in-depth investigations into conflicts, human rights abuses, and international crimes. What sets Bellingcat apart is its reliance on publicly available data and tools to verify information and expose the truth.

How Bellingcat Verifies Information

1. Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)

Use of public data: Bellingcat relies on data available to anyone with an internet connection, such as satellite images, social media posts, and government databases.
Geolocation: By cross-referencing images and videos with tools like Google Earth, Bellingcat verifies where events took place. For example, they pinpointed the location of a missile launcher linked to the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 by matching imagery to specific landmarks visible in photographs.

2. Social Media Analysis

Verification of user-generated content: Bellingcat examines metadata, timestamps, and user profiles to confirm the authenticity of videos or images shared online.
Tracing origins: By identifying the original uploader of content, they establish credibility and detect potential manipulation.

3. Collaborative Investigations

Bellingcat often works with a network of contributors, using crowdsourced expertise to analyse vast datasets. For instance, during the investigation of chemical weapon use in Syria, Bellingcat leveraged contributions from experts in weapons and chemistry.

4. Advanced Tools

Satellite imagery: Platforms like Maxar and Sentinel Hub allow Bellingcat to monitor terrain changes or verify events like explosions or troop movements.
Forensic tools: FotoForensics helps detect signs of image tampering, such as altered metadata or pixel inconsistencies.

5. Data Cross-Referencing

Bellingcat cross-references publicly available information to confirm the credibility of claims. For example, during their investigation into the poisoning of Sergei Skripal, they identified the suspects using leaked Russian databases and social media analysis.

High-Profile Examples of Bellingcat Investigations in the News

The Downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17

Bellingcat’s investigation into the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine is one of their most renowned cases. By analysing publicly available photographs, videos, and satellite imagery, they traced the missile system responsible to a Russian military unit. Their findings were later corroborated by official investigations.

The Poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal

After the 2018 nerve agent attack in Salisbury, Bellingcat identified the suspects as Russian military intelligence officers using open-source data, including leaked passport information and online records. Their meticulous work uncovered a pattern of Russian state-sponsored activities.

Tracking Russian Troop Movements in Ukraine

During the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Bellingcat used satellite imagery and social media posts to track troop movements, verify attacks, and document evidence of war crimes. Their work provided critical information to journalists, NGOs, and international bodies.

Chemical Weapons Use in Syria

Bellingcat played a pivotal role in verifying the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Civil War. By analysing videos, photographs, and munitions fragments, they demonstrated links between attacks and the Syrian government, often challenging state narratives.

Lessons for Journalists from Bellingcat

1. Embrace Transparency

Bellingcat’s investigations often include detailed methodologies, allowing readers to verify their findings independently. Journalists can build trust by adopting a similar approach, openly sharing sources and verification steps.

2. Harness Technology

Journalists should use the wide array of free tools available to verify content, such as reverse image searches, geolocation tools, and metadata analysers. Staying up to date with the latest tools is critical.

3. Think Globally, Act Locally

While Bellingcat tackles international issues, their methods are equally applicable to local stories. For example, verifying the authenticity of a viral social media claim in a small town can follow the same principles as investigating a geopolitical event.

Final Thoughts

Verifying online information is no longer optional; it is a fundamental responsibility for journalists in an age of misinformation. By combining traditional journalistic rigour with modern OSINT techniques, professionals can ensure the accuracy of their reporting. Organisations like Bellingcat demonstrate the power of innovative verification methods, offering a model for others to follow.

In a world where the truth often hides in plain sight, the tools and strategies are available—all that remains is for journalists to use them effectively.