The promise of open-source intelligence

The likelihood that the truth will be uncovered raises the cost of wrongdoing for governments. Although OSINT might not prevent Russia from invading Ukraine or China from building its gulag, it exposes the flimsiness of their lies. Eliot Higgins, Bellingcat’s founder, is right when he describes his organisation as “an intelligence agency for the people”.

This article seems to carry on the spark of optimism that existed during the early days of the public internet. I think there is some reason to be optimistic about groups like Bellingcat; but I also am pessimistic about the willingness of corporate owned mass media to carry news that governments want to remain buried. Even if such reports and information are available, most of the public won't see them if they remain dependent on sources like Fox or CNN for their news.