Bellingcat: Truth in a Post-Truth World 2020

BELLINGCAT - TRUTH IN A POST-TRUTH WORLD delves into the groundbreaking transformation brought about by the “citizen investigative journalist” collective known as Bellingcat. This dedicated group of online investigators is on a mission to uncover the truth behind some of the most complex news stories globally, tackling issues from the MH17 disaster to the Syrian Civil War and the enigmatic poisoning of a Russian spy in the UK. At the helm is Eliot Higgins, who operates from his home in Leicester alongside a diverse team of truth-seekers, challenging the narratives put forth by news outlets, networks, and governments.

Utilizing state-of-the-art digital methods and the power of crowdsourcing, Bellingcat has pioneered a faster and more inventive strategy than conventional journalistic practices. For the first time, filmmaker Hans Pool has been granted exclusive access to Bellingcat’s operations, following researchers from countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and the United States as they showcase the potential of open source investigations.

The documentary examines Bellingcat’s significant influence through the lens of their ongoing inquiries, alongside their high-profile past reports. In just three years since its formation, Bellingcat has garnered immense attention for producing timely news and earning a reputation for cutting-edge journalism. Notably, their efforts facilitated the first known instance where the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant based exclusively on social media evidence. Recently, Christiaan Triebert, a member from the Netherlands, received the prestigious European Press Prize for innovative journalism for his comprehensive coverage of the failed Turkish coup.

As Bellingcat navigates a landscape riddled with propaganda masquerading as truth, the pressing question arises: what fuels their relentless pursuit of justice? With governments becoming increasingly unreliable and traditional media outlets waning in authority and reach, how does this collective, often dismissed by skeptics as merely a group of self-funded “armchair researchers,” manage to hold influential world leaders accountable in international courts? This exploration reflects on the profound changes our world is undergoing, shaped by 21st-century advancements in governance, technology, and social media.