The Networked Utilisation of Satellite Images and Geospatial Technology in Journalism

Abstract

Satellite technology has become increasingly affordable and accessible in the past few decades. This has enabled many newsrooms to engage with genuinely remote journalism.

This chapter explores the networked nature of satellite journalism and investigates its inclusion of experts and citizens outside newsrooms. Satellite journalism uses satellite-borne technology either as a (1) part of storytelling or (2) source of information. Academic research on the topic is scarce, so this chapter builds a base of knowledge on the contemporary practices, limitations and ethics—as well as directions of future development—of satellite journalism.

By interviewing six journalists and one earth observation expert, and by analysing the case of the Bellingcat group, we shed light on how satellite journalism works. We argue that journalist–audience collaboration has the potential to deepen further as satellite technology develops, thereby rewarding organisations that participate in networked co-creation. Developing technologies, however, will also introduce new ethical considerations.