Verifying Eyewitness Generated Content with Human Rights Watch Digital Investigations Lab

In the midst of devastating global conflicts and crises, the impacts of government censorship and lack of impartial journalistic reportage, witnesses are now able to document and share the immediate realities from the frontlines of conflicts and crises across the globe in real-time often from areas that are hard to reach or inaccessible. Armed with camera-enabled mobile phones, internet connection and social media platforms, anyone can offer alternative on-the-ground perspectives that challenge mainstream narratives and advocate for change.

Whilst the possibilities of these democratising technologies have the potential to bring alternate versions of truth to the fore, they also come with the risk of bias and mis/disinformation and a host of ethical challenges. Join Sam Dubberley, managing director of the Digital Investigations Lab at Human Rights Watch as we delve into the transformative impact of eyewitness-generated content and explore how documentary and factual storytellers can draw on this footage for future programs whilst also ensuring factual accuracy, authenticity and veracity.

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