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Centering the “source” in open source investigation
Author: Libby McAvoy This article first appeared on Open Global Rights in English, Spanish, and Arabic on January 21, 2021. When a viral video of shocking violence crops up online—such as videos of security forces in Iraq firing “head-splitting tear gas grenades” at protestors—open source investigators comb through the footage with techniques like sophisticated social media research and geolocation to verify […]
February 4, 2021
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Archivists’ Victory over Overbroad Copyright Claim
A joint statement from Human Rights Watch, Mnemonic, and WITNESS, with lead authoring by Deborah Brown, Senior Researcher and Advocate on Digital Rights, and Gabriela Ivens, Head of Open Source Research, at Human Rights Watch. November 25, 2020 A decision by GitHub, a leading software development platform, to reinstate a popular free software tool for downloading videos, […]
November 25, 2020
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Making Your Metadata Matter, Part 2
We’re pleased to welcome guest bloggers Wendy Betts and Raquel Vazquez Llorente here to share their insights on documentation apps and metadata for legal purposes. Wendy Betts is the Director of eyeWitness to Atrocities, an organization that combines legal and technological expertise to aid investigations and promote accountability for international crimes. Raquel Vazquez Llorente is […]
April 7, 2020
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Making Your Metadata Matter
Metadata plays a crucial role in authenticating and verifying human rights footage for external audiences. When you are assessing which documentation app to use, it is important you fully understand the metadata collected by the app. This blog outlines the questions we recommend you ask.
March 31, 2020
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Juan’s Story Part 2: Using Video as Evidence in Immigration Proceedings
This post is part of the WITNESS US Program and Media Lab’s series,“Eyes On ICE: Documenting Abuses Against Immigrant Communities.” The following is a case study for the consideration of immigration attorneys, advocates, and community members nationwide thinking through the creative use of video in defending individuals against deportation. The case at hand was filed […]
July 16, 2019
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Who Can We Trust?
I am a young, black, first generation American woman from New York City. Following the indictment of George Zimmerman and the murders of Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Akai Gurley by the police, I began to feel extremely weary of authority figures and fearful of any potential interactions between my family and friends […]
April 24, 2019
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Introduction to Mobil-Eyes Us
Mobil-Eyes Us is a project of WITNESS and the WITNESS Media Lab to explore potential new approaches to livestream storytelling for action. We look at technologies, tactics and storytelling strategies to use live video to connect viewers to frontline experiences of human rights issues they care about, so they become ‘distant witnesses’ who will take […]
November 7, 2018
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4 tips to have co-present and active audiences in livestreams
By Clara Medeiros and Adriano Belisário Livestreams are one of the most engaging types of content on the Internet, and Mobil-Eyes-Us, a WITNESS initiative, builds up this content to help activists engage their audience deliberately so that they become more active, useful and “co-present” when they are needed. We had the chance to observe, test, […]
September 17, 2018
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The fight for the land continues one year after the assassination of Berta Cáceres, and so do the threats
By Laura Salas, Translation by Facundo Ercole Leer en español I’ve been a warrior because I’m from a town which is full of warriors. Berta Cáceres, founder of the Concejo Cívico Popular de Honduras (COPINH) [Honduras Popular Civic Council], has become an icon in the fight of hundreds communities across the Mesoamerica and the rest […]
March 3, 2017
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Community activists targeted as police killings escalate in Rio’s favelas
Local activists and residents targeted by the military police for filming violence in Rio favela.
February 6, 2017
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Using Video to Document “Gasolinazo” Protests in Mexico
Activists are documenting protests and direct actions to send a message to the administration that they do not accept "Gasolinazo", a massive increase in the cost of gasoline and consumer goods.
February 2, 2017
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Getting Started with Digital Security
Digital security can seem overwhelming, but there are many online resources to guide you through everything from risk assessments to file encryption. Here's a selection of some basic tips and tools to get you started.
November 15, 2016
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A Quick Guide to Safely Filming Protests in Africa
Over the last few years, we’ve seen a major increase in violent protests in various countries around the world, not least in African countries pushing back against electoral malpractice. From Gabon and the Democratic Republic of Congo, to Kenya and Uganda – resistance to political protest is contributing to violence against civilians. To help grassroots […]
September 30, 2016
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Tips for Filming Protests and the Police at the 2016 US Political Conventions
Planning to film demonstrations at the Republican National Convention or the Democratic National convention? We've compiled tips for what to do before, during, and after you film.
July 14, 2016
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Analysis of Eyewitness Video Data Shows Climate of Hatred Toward Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People
The WITNESS Media Lab shares initial findings from a new project focused on curating and analyzing data from videos of violent acts against transgender and gender nonconforming people that have been captured and shared for entertainment.
June 28, 2016
