Using Satellite Imagery to Uncover War Crimes and Environmental Damage
Satellite imagery has become an increasingly powerful tool for investigative journalists, allowing reporters to document events and uncover evidence in places that may be inaccessible, dangerous, or deliberately concealed. Combined with geospatial data, open-source intelligence, and traditional reporting, satellite imagery can help journalists investigate conflicts, human rights abuses, environmental damage, military activity, sanctions evasion, and hidden economic and political networks.
We are pleased to host a GIJN workshop with Ryan McNeill of Reuters on Investigating the Invisible: Using Satellite Imagery to Uncover War Crimes, Environmental Damage, and human rights abuses. Drawing on Reuters investigations from conflict zones and restricted environments around the world, McNeill will introduce participants to the fundamentals of satellite imagery and demonstrate practical methods for incorporating geospatial evidence into investigative reporting.
During the workshop, participants will learn how to access and assess commercial and open-source satellite imagery, verify locations and events through geolocation, analyze changes over time, and identify evidence of military activity, infrastructure development, environmental destruction, and conflict-related damage. The session will also explore how journalists can combine satellite imagery with AIS data, documents, witness testimony, social media, leaked datasets, and other reporting to investigate ships, ports, borders, supply chains, sanctions evasion, environmental crimes, and inaccessible locations.
Date: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026
Time: 9:30 am EST / 3:30 pm CET (What time is it in my city?)
Duration: One hour, followed by a 15-minute Q-&-A session.
Speaker’s Bio: Ryan McNeill is a deputy data editor with Reuters. His work combines satellite imagery, open-source intelligence, geolocation, data analysis, and traditional reporting to uncover stories that would otherwise remain hidden. He has led and contributed to award-winning investigations in civil war in Sudan, military operations and war crimes in Syria. Since 2023, McNeill’s work has focused on the Sudanese civil war and the ensuing famine. He has previously worked for The Dallas Morning News, South Florida Sun-Sentinel and The Oklahoman. He is a graduate of Oklahoma State University.
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GIJN Academy provides free trainings, webinars, and workshops to investigative journalists around the world with special attention to those from repressive regimes and marginalized communities. Your support helps us keep training opportunities like this one free and accessible to everyone.
