Data Journalism · OSINT · Digital Security

Investigative
journalist
& digital security researcher.

Exploring digital threats, hostile environments, how to deal with them and their impact on our society. Works on the intersection of technology, education, and freedom of expression, with a particular emphasis on disinformation, online extremism, hate speech, and influence operations. Grounded in two decades of public safety and emergency management work.

Luis Assardo
20+
Years experience
2×
ESET award
6+
Fellowships

Based in Berlin, 🇩🇪 Germany

As cited in
The New York Times The Intercept CPJ taz IJNet RSF GIJN

Recognition

Awards & Fellowships

Award 2025

ESET Digital Security Journalism Award

Article: "Cuenta que atacó a periodistas es parte de una red de medios falsos"

Fellowship 2024

Digital Investigations Residency

Tactical Tech, 🇩🇪 Germany

Fellowship 2021

Digital Security Fellowship

Reporters Without Borders (RSF), 🇩🇪 Germany

Fellowship 2020

Producing Media to Counter Radicalisation

RNTC, 🇳🇱 Netherlands

Award 2019

Journalist of the Month

IJNet / ICFJ

Award 2018

ESET Digital Security Journalism Award

First investigation on Influence Operations in Guatemala

Fellowship 2015

Digital Path to Entrepreneurship Fellowship

Several newsrooms, 🇺🇸 USA

Fellowship 2010

Multimedia Journalism Fellowship

Deutsche Welle Akademie, 🇩🇪 Germany

Fellowship 2001

Fire & Disaster Management Fellowship

JICA / FDMA, 🇯🇵 Japan

Selected Work

Recent Projects

Fact-checking Journalism

Confirmado

Guatemala's first collaborative fact-checking initiative, founded 2019. Decoding disinformation and empowering citizens with data.

Web App Open Source

Meta Monetization Tool

A public dashboard for exploring and analysing Meta's monetization archive data, making platform accountability accessible.

Guide GIJN

Investigating Digital Threats

A practical guide for investigative journalists on identifying, documenting, and reporting on trolling and harassment campaigns.

Newsletter Spanish

Vector Crítico

An independent Spanish-language publication on the internet's impact on society, democracy, and media freedom.

What I Do

Areas of Expertise

01

Investigations & Analysis

  • Disinformation & Influence Operations
  • OSINT & Digital Investigations
  • Online Extremism & Hate Speech
  • Troll Factory Research
  • Social Media Manipulation
02

Protection & Security

  • Digital Security & Journalist Protection
  • Hostile Environments & Risk Assessment
  • Emergency Management & Crisis Response
  • Protection Protocol Design
  • Deanonymization & OPSEC Auditing
03

Media & Leadership

  • Media Freedom & Freedom of Expression
  • Internet, Society & Democracy
  • Newsroom Leadership & Innovation
  • Training & Capacity Building
  • University Teaching

Collaborations

Organisations & Affiliations

Memberships

Networks & Bodies

Work together

Good fit for
your project?

Whether you need an experienced speaker, a security trainer for your team, or a collaborator on an investigative project, get in touch.

Get in touch

General enquiries & collaborations

Book as speaker

Conferences, panels & events

Request training

Digital security & OSINT workshops