How we verify a video with BBC Verify. #BBCNews

Key Concepts

• Verification: The process of confirming the authenticity and context of a video.
• Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT): Utilizing publicly available information for investigation – specifically, online footage and data.
• Geolocation: Determining the location where a video was filmed.
• Chronolocation: Determining the date and time a video was filmed.
• Reverse Image Search: A technique to find the origin and previous appearances of images (and screenshots from videos) online.
• Suncal: An online tool used to calculate the sun’s position at a given time and location.

Verifying Online Video Footage: A BBC Approach

The core challenge addressed is the rapid proliferation of videos accompanying breaking news events on social media, and the necessity to distinguish between genuine, misleading, and false content. The BBC’s approach prioritizes verification, particularly when direct on-the-ground access is limited due to safety concerns, remoteness, or restricted journalistic access. The process hinges on answering three key questions: Where was the video filmed? When was it filmed? And Why was it posted?

Geolocation: Establishing the “Where”

Determining the location of a video is the first step. This involves a multi-faceted approach relying on visual and auditory clues within the footage. Specific techniques include:

• Visual Clues: Identifying and analyzing road signs, shop names, and architectural details.
• Auditory Clues: Analyzing spoken language, identifying dialects, and recognizing regional accents.
• Satellite Imagery Comparison: Comparing the visual landscape in the video with satellite images (e.g., Google Earth) to confirm building shapes, road networks, and terrain features. This also extends to identifying changes in the landscape indicative of damage from attacks or conflict. The use of satellite imagery allows for confirmation of details even in inaccessible areas.

Chronolocation: Establishing the “When”

Establishing the date and time a video was filmed requires leveraging environmental factors and online tools. The methods employed are:

• Environmental Analysis: Assessing weather conditions visible in the video (sun, rain, cloud cover, wind direction) and analyzing shadow positions and the sun’s angle.
• Suncal Utilization: Employing tools like Suncal to calculate the expected position of the sun in the sky at a specific date, time, and location, and comparing this to the video footage.
• Reverse Image Searching: Taking multiple screenshots from the video and conducting reverse image searches using tools like Google Images. This identifies if the images have appeared online previously, potentially revealing an earlier date or a different context. This technique can also trace the video back to its original source and uploader.

Establishing Context: The “Why”

Understanding the motivations behind a video’s upload is crucial for complete verification. This involves:

• Uploader Investigation: Identifying the individual or entity who posted the video.
• Statement Analysis: Examining any accompanying text or statements provided by the uploader regarding the video’s content.
• Motive Assessment: Evaluating potential biases or agendas that might influence the video’s presentation. Contacting the original poster is often a key step in gaining vital context and understanding their perspective.

Logical Connections & Synthesis

The three lines of inquiry – Where, When, and Why – are interconnected. Establishing the location and time independently strengthens the validity of each finding. Understanding the uploader’s motives provides crucial context, potentially revealing manipulation or misrepresentation. The BBC’s methodology emphasizes a holistic approach, combining technical analysis with source investigation.

As stated, “If we can answer where, when, and why, well, we can be confident something can be considered verified.” This highlights the importance of a comprehensive investigation rather than relying on a single verification method. The process is presented as a framework for assessing the credibility of online video evidence, particularly in situations where traditional journalistic access is limited.