Dataharvest 2025 - the European Investigative Journalism Conference

The opening of the conference will take place in the Aula Hanswijk (Z1.13, on the first floor), and will be streamed into the Aula Donche (Z1.15, first floor).

Coming soon!



*The opening will take place in the Aula Z 1/13 (Auditorium Hanswijk, 1st floor) and will be streamed to Aula Donche (on the first floor).

I'M WAITING FOR THE SPEAKERS TO CONFIRM THE TITLE AND DESCRIPTION Far-right and other extremist networks in Europe organise themselves and coordinate their activities across borders by using different technological and strategic means, and pursuing different social and political goals. In this session, two (or three, or four) journalists will explain the diverse methodologies they employed to investigate how powerful hardliner networks operate in Europe.

Brecht Castel will describe how he and his colleagues used OSINT techniques to uncover how Active Clubs -- which mix fitness and martial arts with far-right ideology -- recruit and radicalise their members online. And Gabriela Keller will explain how she and her colleagues investigated how the international religious right has built cross-border alliances with civil society and political actors, with the aim of influencing policy and restrict women's reproductive rights.

By attending this session, you will learn different approaches to think of and plan a collaborative investigation into the activities of extremist networks.

We all know that oligarchs, gangsters and shady politicians use shell companies and trusts in offshore jurisdictions to hide their ill-gotten gains. Just because they hide their cash doesn't mean we can't find their companies! This session will show you the tools available to help you crack open those nests of shell companies.
Come join us on this wild ride through an offshore maze

The opioid crisis and the role of Purdue Pharma might seem like a US-based story. But there is much profit being made from pain in Europe, and new addicts are being created in the process. Paper Trail Media, in collaboration with The Examination, uncovered the opioid business on this side of the Atlantic, leading to a documentary aired by ZDF in Germany, and a front page story in the Washington Post. Find out how they did it – and how the story is still being uncovered in an area where data is sparse.

Back by popular demand (yes, really!) The OSINT treasure hunt gives Dataharvesters a chance to have some fun, test their OSINT skills and lateral thinking, and get some fresh air on the streets of Mechelen. Either come as a team (3 is a good number) or find other team members at the beginning of the session.