RightsCon Toronto 2018

Video Forensics at The New York Times

Who launched a chemical attack in Syria? Who assaulted protesters a mere mile from the White House? How did a gunman manage to kill 59 people at a concert in Las Vegas? How did weapons, trafficked aboard vessels in Sardinia, come to be used in airstrikes on civilians in Yemen?

Using an innovative form of investigation, The New York Times has published distinct reports that not only answered these questions but also brought these complex stories to life through pioneering visual storytelling. Combined, they demonstrate next-generation truth-telling.

In this presentation, Malachy Browne, Senior Producer with The Times will showcase the reporting behind this form of video investigation, or so-called visual forensics. He will outline the presentation techniques that distill the evidence and make the story accessible to a broad audience.

The reporting incorporates some of the latest digital evidence and technologies provided by the evolving information environment: satellite imagery and photo metadata, geo-spatial analysis and mapping techniques, technical analysis of audio waveforms and video evidence that examines every decibel and pixel. The reporting incorporates collaborations with career experts, interviews with eyewitnesses and other traditional reporting.

And Mr. Browne will talk about the vision for this nascent reporting unit in The Times, including partnerships with independent experts and investigators in the human rights and tech space.    

A playlist of Visual Investigations at the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/video/investigations