From OSINT to Safety: Achillova Data 2025 Kicks Off

The opening of the 9th edition of the Achillova Data intesive course welcomed a record 13 teams and a total of 43 promising investigative journalists from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Ukraine to Prague. Over the course of four packed days, young reporters took part in an intensive program full of lectures, workshops, and hands-on training led by experienced investigative journalists and experts from international media outlets.

Participants explored how to develop an investigative project, dove into the world of OSINT and geolocation, and learned the essentials of interviewing, digital security, and data work. The program also included a field exercise, a session on disinformation, and discussions on journalists’ physical safety.

The four-day workshop was only the beginning. Experienced mentors will now guide participants through a five-month mentoring program during which new investigative stories will be developed. The teams will present them at a final spring meeting in Prague.

A full overview of the topics covered in the Achillova Data 2025/26 lectures and workshops: From an Idea to an Investigative Story: How to Start an Investigative Project (Lukáš Diko – Ján Kuciak Investigative Centre)

The Amazing World of OSINT (Jan Žabka – Okraj.cz)

Geolocation: Nothing Stays Hidden (Jan Žabka – Okraj.cz)

The Art of the Interview (Aryn Baker – TIME magazine)

Digital Security (Carter Boone – RFE/RL)

The Secrets of Storytelling (Michael Winfrey – freelance)

AI in Newsroom (Veronika Munk – Denník N)

How the Disinformation Work? How to Fight Them? (Vladimír Šnídl – Denník N)

Data Journalism (Erika Kinetz – AP)

Field Exercise (Paul Casciato & Mike Winfrey)

How to Stay Safe: Physical Safety of Journalists (Bojana Jovanović – KIRK / Crime and Corruption Reporting Network)

The Amazing World of OSINT (Jan Žabka – Okraj.cz)

Geolocation: Nothing Stays Hidden (Jan Žabka – Okraj.cz)

The Art of the Interview (Aryn Baker – TIME magazine)

Digital Security (Carter Boone – RFE/RL)

The Secrets of Storytelling (Michael Winfrey – freelance)

AI in Newsroom (Veronika Munk – Denník N)

How the Disinformation Work? How to Fight Them? (Vladimír Šnídl – Denník N)

Data Journalism (Erika Kinetz – AP)

Field Exercise (Paul Casciato & Mike Winfrey)

How to Stay Safe: Physical Safety of Journalists (Bojana Jovanović – KIRK / Crime and Corruption Reporting Network)