The training, which focused on OSINT and fact-checking, was designed to strengthen resilience against disinformation and brought together 22 journalists from various broadcast and online media outlets.
Michael Colborne, an experienced trainer, journalist and OSINT practitioner with Bellingcat, introduced participants to the fundamentals of open-source research and journalism. His sessions covered digital footprint tracing, passive or pseudonymous investigation, in-depth research on social networks such as Telegram and Instagram, and the use of facial recognition tools.
Milica Stojanovic, an experienced fact-checker and journalist with BIRN Hub, trained participants on how Balkan Insight has made rigorous fact-checking an integral part of its investigative journalism. She also shared methods for verifying third-party content and discussed the use of artificial intelligence in fact-checking.
The training was conducted as part of the project “Strengthening Albania’s Information Environment: Countering Disinformation and Enhancing Institutional Resilience”, supported by the British Embassy in Albania.
As a follow-up, participating journalists will be mentored and supported by BIRN to produce OSINT-based investigative stories.