大象传媒

After Bashar al-Assad鈥檚 regime collapsed, Syrian media enters a new chapter. Kholoud Helmi, co-founder of the independent paper Enab Baladi, reflects on her publication鈥檚 journey from clandestine reporting during Assad鈥檚 era to hopes for unfiltered journalism in today鈥檚 Syria. Sednaya prison, long shrouded in secrecy, has become a focal point for journalists and families of the missing. Freelance journalist Edmund Bower, reporting for The Times, recounts his access to the site.

The murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has sparked polarising reactions online, including the celebration by some of his alleged killer Luigi Mangione. Mia Sato from The Verge discusses the public鈥檚 focus on systemic healthcare failings, while influencer Michael McWhorter notes a striking lack of online detective interest in the case.

Ben Strick, director of investigations at the Centre for Information Resilience, shares the principles of open-source investigations in an advent calendar he has created to highlight his work. He explains how tools like reverse image searches and flight trackers have aided investigative journalism, offering examples from global conflicts to everyday reporting.

Presenters: Ros Atkins and Katie Razzall
Producer: Simon Richardson
Assistant producer: Lucy Wai