OSINT: ExtraFokus’ open source method

Can journalism based on publicly available data reveal hidden truths without breaking the law? Observations from modern studies point to OSINT: Open Source Intelligence, giving newsrooms like ExtraFokus tools for precise, verifiable reporting.

OSINT is about collecting and analysing information from lawful, public sources such as social media, company accounts, court databases and satellite images. This method differs from traditional intelligence in its transparency, since all data is freely available and verifiable.

At ExtraFokus, OSINT is used primarily to document connections in politics and geopolitics, without the use of closed or illegal sources.

The method starts with planning specific questions, followed by collection from sources such as public registers and social profiles. Verification happens through cross-checking, timelines, geolocation and account history, for example by matching shadows in images with the position of the sun or tracing first mentions on X.

Larger projects typically take weeks to months, as multiple sources must be validated to avoid errors.

One example is using open accounts from national company registers combined with social media profiles to map networks in companies.

Another is analysis of satellite data to verify events in conflict zones, as Bellingcat has demonstrated in investigations of war crimes.

These steps ensure that analyses are robust against manipulation.

Ethically, ExtraFokus adheres strictly to EU and national rules on data and privacy, no hacking, no purchase of leaked data.

The method is “legal and ethical”, with a focus on minimal intrusion and respect for personal data, even though the sources are public.

The consequences of a breach could undermine trust, which we avoid by always documenting sources.

The limitations are obvious: open sources can be outdated or manipulated, which requires constant cross-checking. That raises questions about completeness, but strengthens integrity by making doubt visible.

At ExtraFokus, OSINT is integrated into the “How we work” section together with ethics and funding for full transparency.

OSINT strengthens readers’ trust through verifiability and raises demands for wider use in independent journalism.

Read more about our methods in investigative articles linking to this page.

You can find more articles about our working methods here: