"Reporting On Hidden Networks Of Online Abuse" with CNN

This week we spoke to the CNN team behind the investigation into the porn site Motherless.Anonymous accounts. Private chat groups. Hidden online communities.We unpacked how reporters gained access to these spaces, spoke with users sharing intimate imagery of people they knew, and navigated the challenges of reporting in communities designed to stay hidden.It's a conversation about newsroom resources, risk assessment, digital safety, and the realities of reporting where others aren't looking.The talk was hosted by Charlotte Maher on June 11th 2026. Music featured is courtesy of Artlist.Recorded live in our Discord Server: https://discord.com/invite/bellingcatTW: Discussion of sexual assault and abuseLinks:CNN's Motherless Investigation: https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2026/03/world/expose-rape-assault-online-vis-intl/index.html Full As Equals series: https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/asequals/Pelicot investigation (one piece by CNN of many): https://edition.cnn.com/interactive/2024/12/europe/gisele-pelicot-france-case-messages/NY Times article hiding CSAM: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/11/09/us/internet-child-sex-abuse.html?unlocked_article_code=1.pVA.dz84.Qj8Ln4P6btpe&smid=nytcore-android-shareBerkeley Protocol https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/2024-01/OHCHR_BerkeleyProtocol.pdfTalk by Alexa Koenig on GBV investigation https://rss.com/podcasts/bellingcatstagetalk/1908244/Discord discussion space for investigations into Gender Based Violence And Misogyny: https://discordapp.com/channels/709752884257882135/1118448280435687506Discord discussion space for investigations into anti LGBTQI+ messaging: https://discordapp.com/channels/709752884257882135/1199853259742003300Maintain mental hygiene as a researcher: https://www.bellingcat.com/resources/2022/11/23/how-to-maintain-mental-hygiene-as-an-open-source-researcher/Reporting on gender based violence: https://www.bellingcat.com/resources/2023/03/03/sexual-and-gender-based-violence-open-source-researche-osint-digital/