iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

In @gijn.org's latest Top 10 in #datajournalism column, we highlight the massive growth of Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank, how Norway's Svalbard island is seeing real-time effects of global warming, & how pro-Russian online accounts are trying to sow xenophobia in Ukraine, among other stories.

gijn.org

Israeli Checkpoints in the West Bank, Arctic Global Warming, Brazil’s Women Legislators, Inventing a Migrant Crisis in Ukraine

Also highlighting how pro-Russian channels fabricated a mass migration threat in Ukraine, charting South Africa’s micro schools, and how beliefs in an afterlife vary around the world.

000

Reposted by Reed F. Richardson

Eric Umansky @ericumansky.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

So I edited this story. And I wanna share on thought on language, & telling the truth We talked about: the "government is lying to you" It may sound saucy. It may sound like opinion But it's just true And if something is true then you should just say it, clearly That's just good journalism

10556197

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Priorities… www.theguardian.com/technology/n...

Screenshot of a Guardian article on AI toys for kids and how one company that seeks to sell storytelling AI-powered plushies to elementary school-age children is rushing their product to market first; after which they might hire someone to think about the ethical issues created by their company.

000

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Contrast the obsessive nature of the Times' narrative on Mamdani—& how he's disappointing both sides—with this story on Trump's sham "Board of Peace," which takes a strikingly disconnected tone, barely mentioning him or holding him accountable when documenting the constantly failing Gaza ceasefire.

nytimes.com

Trump’s Top Gaza Official Says Israel Is Jeopardizing the Cease-Fire

Nickolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace’s high representative for Gaza, criticized Israel for its ongoing strikes on what it says are Hamas targets, after it rejected a plan to disarm the group.

000

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Setting aside the tragic nature of thinking that the prospect of spending time with your baby is all about optimizing information transfer, this also captures the all-you-have-is-a-hammer nature of so much AI strategy: it's constantly being foisted upon us to solve problems that don't really exist.

120

Reposted by Reed F. Richardson

Global Investigative Journalism Network @gijn.org · 06/10/2026

🎥 In this masterclass video, @nataliaviana.bsky.social, co-founder and executive director of @apublica.org, Brazil’s largest nonprofit newsroom, shares her approach to investigating disinformation campaigns on social media. Watch her full video here ⬇️ twp.ai/9ObrMB

141

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I'm sorry, what the hell?! Every day I seem to encounter some new malicious frontier of intellectual theft, toxic misinformation, or emotional manipulation being facilitated by AI (and its human overseers).

133

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Today @gijn.org: we look under the hood at four blockbuster climate investigations on: tracking deforestation in the Philippines, exposing the loss of greenspace across Europe, revealing the inequities of heat-related illness and death in the US, and cronyism in coal plant regulations in Chile.

gijn.org

Behind the Scenes: How Four Journalism Teams Pulled Off Their Blockbuster Climate Investigations

These exposés from Europe, South America, the Philippines, and the United States combined innovative data analysis with on-the-ground reporting to uncover critical environmental issues.

010

Reposted by Reed F. Richardson

Karen Attiah @karenattiah.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Today, 8 years ago, my friend, Saudi Journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered.

239102153243

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

From our friends at @occrp.org, today's story @gijn.org offers investigative tips for tracking down people who don't want to be found. 🔎"look for the 'weakest link'… while your subject may have a private Facebook account, their mother may post public photos every day that provide valuable info."

gijn.org

Reporter’s Notebook: How to Track Down People Who Don’t Want to Be Found

OCCRP's research director offers up a series of tips and techniques to help reporters safely and effectively build a profile of whoever they are looking for.

000

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Do NOT show this map to the Vietnamese government lol.

030

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Recent @nytimes.com investigation into DraftKings use of AI to target problem gamblers has now been cited in a new lawsuit by a MA resident, who lost thousands of dollars betting with the company and who says he was incessantly bombarded with pleas to keep betting more. www.wbur.org/news/2026/10...

Screenshot from WBUR article on new lawsuit from a person who lost thousands gambling with DraftKings, who says he was incessantly targeted by the company to keep making wagers, and who cites a recent NYTimes investigation that found evidence the company has used AI to target problem gamblers who are more likely to lose.

000

Reposted by Reed F. Richardson

Global Investigative Journalism Network @gijn.org · 02/10/2026

💥 #IJWeek features several Editors' Clinics, offering participants a 15-minute, one-on-one conversation with a top editor! Register now for #IJWeek to book a slot. You'll be able to book a slot starting 21st October. Register here: twp.ai/9Obm9t

043

Reposted by Reed F. Richardson

Global Investigative Journalism Network @gijn.org · 01/10/2026

🇳🇱 Help shape #GIJC27 happening in Rotterdam, The Netherlands! GIJN is seeking panel, workshop and networking ideas for #GIJC27. Have an exciting proposal in mind? Pitch it to us. Deadline to submit ideas is January 18, 2027 Find more information here ⬇️ twp.ai/9Obm92

032

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Speaking of which, this @nytimes.com investigation into Meta's securities filings really exposes the company's brazen strategy of avoiding billions in taxes by claiming R&D tax credits for all sorts of normal operating expenses—building data centers, buying AI chips, even Zuckerberg's stock options.

nytimes.com

How Meta Uses A.I. Data Centers to Avoid Billions in Federal Taxes

Meta is exploiting a lucrative tax break intended to support research and experimentation. Its own accountants say the gambit is risky.

000

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Why "follow the money" cross-border investigative journalism is more important than ever: "The US formally notified [The Council of Europe] a day earlier that it would leave the Group of States against Corruption, or GRECO. Only two other countries have left GRECO before — Russia and Belarus."

apnews.com

US withdraws from European anti-corruption panel in latest shift away from global groups

The Trump administration has withdrawn the United States from a top European anti-corruption watchdog.

267

Reposted by Reed F. Richardson

Global Investigative Journalism Network @gijn.org · 29/09/2026

🔊 From the sharp crack of gunfire to the oppressive hum of drones, Earshot has been using sound as evidence to defend human and environmental rights. Learn more about their techniques in this workshop at #IJWeek. Tickets ⬇️ twp.ai/9OaUJy

043

Reposted by Reed F. Richardson

Global Investigative Journalism Network @gijn.org · 29/09/2026

Join @iainoverton.bsky.social on Oct 6th for this #GIJNAcademy training to learn investigating the technology behind modern warfare from surveillance infrastructure and automated decision-making to the financial flows that make it possible. Register here ⬇️ twp.ai/9OaMBb

053

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

So, I just exited out and reloaded the site and got a *different* answer when I asked it again lol. So much for consistency and reliability of this AI bot…

Screenshot of a different answer to the same question: "Can the president use taxpayers funds to air his old campaign ads on TV?" 15 minutes after asking it and getting an "I cannot give legal advice" response.

010

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Noted: America[dot]gov has *already* changed how it answers to "I cannot give legal advice" on this and several other questions about White House conduct, including banning individual news outlets from the WH press pool based on their coverage.

Screenshot of America dot gov AI bot's answer to a question on if the president can use public funds to push out his own campaign ads on TV, which has changed notably from the early examples that clearly said it was not allowed, and now hedges by saying: "I cannot give legal advice."

121

Reposted by Reed F. Richardson

Global Investigative Journalism Network @gijn.org · 28/09/2026

📰 #WorldNewsDay is a day to recognise what goes into journalism: the questioning, investigating, and explaining; the dogged persistence to get to the truth. Know the facts. Understand what matters. #ChooseTrustedJournalism. #WND26 #WND2026

031

Reposted by Reed F. Richardson

Rebecca Solnit @rebeccasolnit.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

@jkbjournalist.bsky.social reopened the Epstein case; Heidi Blake seems to have restarted the UK prosecuting Andrew Tate; Ronan Farrow, Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor made the system finally go after Weinstein for real. Journalism has again and again made the justice system do its job.

111603389

Reposted by Reed F. Richardson

Global Investigative Journalism Network @gijn.org · 25/09/2026

📊 GIJN weekly roundup of the top 10 in data journalism includes an @abc.es investigation exposing a network that lured Peruvians to fight for Russia in Ukraine, The Straits Times mapping of how Indonesia’s food self-sufficiency drive threatens its forests, 1/2

111

Reposted by Reed F. Richardson

Global Investigative Journalism Network @gijn.org · 25/09/2026

063

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Even for Fox News, this is pretty stunning performative theater. In two interviews almost one year apart, Harris Faulkner talks to a father who lost his daughter to a fentanyl overdose and she offers an uncannily similar surprised reaction *both times.* She's even wearing the exact same dress.

mediaite.com

Bonkers Harris Faulkner Blunder Will Have You Seeing Double

Harris Faulkner was visibly shaken as a guest revealed his daughter was a victim of fentanyl, but the revelation and reaction may have rung familiar.

000

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Really a fun, can't-miss story today @gijn.org on the different personality types that make up investigative journalism newsrooms. I recognize many former colleagues—& myself—in these archetypes, and I also endorse giving the heave-ho to the final character type, that newsrooms truly *don't* need.

gijn.org

The Diplomat, the Chameleon, the Bloodhound: Understanding Newsroom Personalities

Despite sharing certain instincts, investigative journalists have different strengths, weaknesses and characteristics. Some prefer to be left alone, others do their most powerful work when part of a t...

000

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

This is a broad indictment of accountability coverage akin to accepting GWBush's phony Iraq WMD claims: Trump routinely gets simple concepts & facts totally wrong—and then sets policy based on his absurd beliefs. It's a real-life emperor-has-no-clothes moment but the US press fails to call it out.

010

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

It's official! The gijc2027.org website is now live. Start making plans for next October 19-23 to join @gijn.org and 1,800 of the best reporters and editors in the world in Rotterdam for our 15th Global Investigative Journalism Conference. To learn more, go to the link ⬇️

gijn.org

GIJN Launches GIJC27 Website, Announces Dates for 15th Global Investigative Journalism Conference

The 15th edition of the Global Investigative Journalism Conference will be held in Rotterdam, and will feature the latest reporting tools and techniques, cutting-edge workshops, and extensive networki...

000

Reposted by Reed F. Richardson

Global Investigative Journalism Network @gijn.org · 22/09/2026

💊In our latest masterclass video, @willfitzgibbon.bsky.social, senior reporter and global partnership coordinator at @theexamination.org, shares his approach to investigating corporations that make people sick. Watch the full video here ⬇️ twp.ai/9OaCZL

051

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Adding: kudos to @propublica.org for publishing this now. Unlike big-shot journos who hold scoops for their next book (i.e., centering their needs first), this is story is critically important for *voters* and for our *democracy* to know about, to function best, & hold elected officials accountable.

020

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Hard to find a better example of the proverbial DC "swamp" than secretly funneling campaign donations to Congress in exchange for tens of millions in worthless defense contracts. But then the whole case falls apart thanks to Trump's purge of the FBI & forcing it to stop probing public corruption.

propublica.org

The FBI Anti-Corruption Squad Was Circling Susan Collins — Until Trump Got in the Way

After the FBI caught a defense contractor’s CEO making illegal campaign contributions, it sought to launch a sweeping political bribery probe involving Collins and others. Then the second Trump admini...

131

Reposted by Reed F. Richardson

Justin Baragona @justinbaragona.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The Knight Institute says it will support the joint lawsuits by CNN, MS NOW and Politico against the White House to end Trump's press ban.

We’re glad to see that these news organizations are suing. The president’s decision to bar them from the White House for the content of their reporting is a flagrant violation of the First Amendment. It’s an attack both on press freedom and the public’s right to independent information about the government. We will support these news organizations in court.”

17019

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Two things can be true: 1) The most impactful reporting on a president often has little to do with the WH beat. (e.g, see Knight-Ridder's outside-in debunking of the Bush WH's phony WMD claims). 2) This is an unconscionable attack on the 1st Amendment deserving of full condemnation & legal pushback.

010

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Today @gijn.org: In the Amazon and Congo rainforests, investigative journalists are using satellite imagery & artificial intelligence (AI) to expose groups that operate in secret, extracting gold & minerals from some of the world’s most remote regions. From our partners at LatAm Journalism Review.

gijn.org

Journalists in Africa and South America Are Mapping the Mines Devouring the World’s Rainforests

Two journalism and technology projects are sharing tools and methods across continents to map where mining is devastating the Amazon and Congo basins.

010

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The scale of AI-manufactured slop exposed here really is breathtaking. The steady hum of this kind of faux-editorial noise has now become the background noise polluting the internet — and, even worse, it erodes confidence in actual journalism & makes real reporters' jobs harder in almost every way.

053

Reposted by Reed F. Richardson

Dave Jorgenson @davejorgenson.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

This is super depressing but also holy shit, photojournalism is so important

730352

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Very interesting to see this #TXGOV / #TXSEN poll asking a question on Flock surveillance cameras, which, even in TX, draw broad opposition across every demographic except for self-ID GOP, of whom only a slim majority (53%) approve. Note: 3/4 of young voters (!) oppose. reconmr.com/wp-content/u...

Screenshot of Siena TX poll question on Flock cameras, which shows broad opposition to their operation across every age, race, education, and regional demographic except for self-ID Republicans, of whom only a slim majority (53%) approve.

001

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Legendary Colombian journalist Ricardo Calderón, who is famously private, opened up to @gijn.org to discuss how he started his career, keeping himself and his sources safe (amid death threats et al.), & the challenges of taking on high-risk subjects like armed militias, spies, and gov't corruption.

gijn.org

‘Once Someone Opens the Door and I Manage to Sit Down with them, I Have a Shot’: Colombia’s Ricardo Calderón on His Career Conducting High-Risk Investigations

The reporter spent more than 20 years investigating armed conflict, corruption, and spy scandals in print, always trying to avoid the limelight. He had to forgo privacy to take on a new role on nation...

000

Reposted by Reed F. Richardson

Global Investigative Journalism Network @gijn.org · 16/09/2026

🇨🇴Colombian investigative journalist Ricardo Calderón has exposed all kinds of abuses and wrongdoing by those in power or contesting it. In this interview, he talks about his path into investigative journalism, the hard-won lessons and safety precautions that came with it. twp.ai/9OaAP6

032

Reposted by Reed F. Richardson

Global Investigative Journalism Network @gijn.org · 15/09/2026

✨GIJN's #IJWEEK, happening from 26th October to 30th October 2026, features more than 35 panels, workshops, and networking sessions with over 100 speakers. Check the full program here and mark your favorite sessions in your calendar. twp.ai/9OaBoK

031

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Yeah, @pablo.show recently did a follow-up episode foreshadowing this, noting that—per the CBA—NBA owners don't get arbitration hearings only the union/players do (& Kawhi has already given up). So, the only option remaining for Ballmer was to officially sue the league (team owner self-immolation).

000

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

People always talk about how Giuliani rallied the city after 9/11, but a part of his legacy they rarely talk about is how he was also very openly pushing to ditch the city's democratic elections scheduled for that fall so he could continue to stay in power.

Newsweek headline about former NY Gov. George Pataki's memoir, where he describes how NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani wanted him to indefinitely postpone the scheduled 2001 mayoral primary and general elections for later that fall, using 9/11 as an excuse to remain in power.

042

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

It's a very open (and sadly lucrative) business model!

010

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

It revealed — much like Trump has — how many 'serious' intellectuals in the media elite (Friedman, Hitchens, et al.) were quietly nursing virulent reactionary streaks and just looking for the permission structure to unleash them.

140

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I fully expect the Jayhawks to have designed a naked bootleg trick play just for this game called the Pottawatomie Special.

030

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

McClatchy laid off dozens of reporters yesterday — many on city, data, and investigative beats — and its corporate PR parent's explanation speaks volumes about how private equity often mistakes what real journalism "value" & "impact" looks like in pursuit of profits. www.poynter.org/business-wor...

Poynter story on how Chatham Asset Management, the private investment firm that owns McClatchy, cut dozens of reporters, including many investigative and data journalists, across the country as part of its plan to "align" with what "subscribers value" and what can have the "highest impact."

033

Reed F. Richardson @reedfrich.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

In @gijn.org's latest Top 10 in #datajournalism column, we look at the AfD's popularity on TikTok (after its recent electoral success in Saxon-Anhalt), how the US-Iran War is realigning Indi's imports of cooking gas, & a 3D visualization of the glacier collapse that caused the massive Nepal flood.

gijn.org

German Far Right’s TikTok Reach, Iran War’s Impact on Cooking Gas, Mapping the Nepal Floods, and ‘Strongest’ Country Passports

Also highlighting coverage of Nvidia’s role in financing AI companies, how US adults engage with AI chatbots, and a story investigating children’s care homes in the UK.

001