The EU hands out over a third of its budget to the agricultural sector every year. Under EU law data on subsidies are publicly available via the individual member states. However, the information is often difficult to access, analyze and compare across borders. The Farmsubsidy.org website contains fresh and searchable data on farm subsidies, obtained from national government agencies. In this session, you will learn: - what's in the farm subsidy data ,- how to look through millions of recipients of farm subsidies; - crossmatch with other data to find story leads; - how to classify types of recipients (person/company/etc.) using machine learning models.
Digital hygiene, security awareness and understanding how and where data (including personal data) is exposed is more important than ever. We face the proliferation of spyware, the widespread use of LLMs (AI) and intrusive surveillance practices which are 'on steroids' with advances in computing power.
In this session we will give you the tools and knowledge you need to up your digital security and anti-surveillance game.
We will start the session by checking your own current digital security in a fun and interactive way. We will look at what your answers tell us and share practical tips to improve your security game and better secure your computer(s), encrypt confidential information or communicate securely with your team. The second part of the session will dive deeper into big tech and state surveillance. Targeted and mass surveillance practices will be deconstructed and we will share useful tools and practices to counter surveillance.
After this session you will have a better security profile and will be able to do your investigative work more securely. You will also receive a tip sheet in order to go on implementing the measures at your own pace.
One of the biggest threats to a small newsroom is being faced with legal claims or lawsuits that will block publication, soak up all your energy and potentially empty your bank account. Claims may allege violations of privacy, defamation, or breach of confidentiality. In recent years attention has focused on SLAPPs (Strategic Legal Action against Public Participation) that aim to stop you in your tracks, prevent lawful investigations and halt discussion of matters of public interest. How can you prevent this tactic and be prepared if it's used against you? Where can you go for support and help? Senior legal advisor Flutura Kusari from the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, who has advised media and journalists pre- and post- publication, gives her advice and takes your questions.
