In this episode of Intelligence Spotlight, host Qais Alamdar speaks with Gergana Krasteva, a freelance foreign correspondent, about the evolving landscape of journalism, the challenges freelancers face, and the importance of ethics in reporting. They explore the economics of journalism, the art of storytelling, and the mental challenges reporters encounter. Gergana shares her insights on the future of journalism and the need for adaptability in a rapidly changing media environment.00:00 The Evolving Landscape of Journalism01:18 Personal Journeys in Journalism03:26 Challenges in Modern Journalism06:43 Understanding Freelance Journalism10:42 The Why Behind Journalism12:45 The Stories That Go Untold14:47 Safety and Access in Reporting17:30 Funding and Its Influence on Journalism20:52 The Art of Pitching Stories23:11 The Art of Storytelling in Journalism27:25 Adapting to New Information31:29 Navigating Ethical Challenges in Reporting34:20 The Unseen Risks of Journalism38:08 The Future of Journalism: Ethics and Adaptabilityemail: info@intelfocus.orgwebsite: www.intelfocus.org

In this episode of the Intelligence Spotlight, Baptiste Robert, an ethical hacker and founder of Predictor Lab, discusses the nuances of hacking, the importance of ethical frameworks, and the role of open-source intelligence (OSINT) in modern investigations. He shares his journey from a grey hat hacker to an entrepreneur, emphasising the responsibilities that come with hacking skills. The discussion also covers the ethical considerations in developing investigative tools, the personal impact of working in OSINT, and the future of cybersecurity, highlighting the need for collaboration between the private and public sectors to foster innovation and skill development.

Note: Intel Focus is run fully independently, voluntarily and has no revenue streams. Consider supporting us, our email: info@intelfocus.org

Chapters:

00:00 Understanding Hacking: Beyond Malice

01:28 The Role of Ethical Hacking

02:00 Baptiste Robert: Journey from Hacker to Entrepreneur

09:58 The Birth of Predictor Lab

14:08 The Importance of OSINT in Investigations

17:51 Building Tools for Ethical Use

20:55 Ethical Considerations in Tool Development

30:07 The Personal Impact of OSINT Work

35:00 Mistakes Beginners Make in OSINT and Ethical Hacking

38:53 The Future of Cybersecurity and OSINT

In this conversation, Gemma Terés Arilla discusses the challenges and lessons learned in independent journalism, particularly in the context of leadership, networking, and the impact of censorship. She emphasises the importance of local journalism in rebuilding trust and the need to break away from clichéd narratives in reporting on global issues. The discussion also touches on the role of emergency fellowships in supporting journalists at risk and the interconnectedness of global stories. You can also apply for the fully-funded Rest & Resilience Fellowship announced by Taz Panter Foundation, the deadline is January 15, 2026: https://taz.de/taz-panter-stiftung/rest-resilience-fellowship/!v=2c0b2d3c-7081-46a5-9256-f9fb6ebf81f2/

Note: Intel Focus is run fully independently, voluntarily and has no revenue streams. Consider supporting us, our email: info@intelfocus.org