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sandro gvindadze

@sandrogvindadze

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I investigate Russian disinformation and propaganda networks using OSINT, data and visual journalism.

Georgia

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At BBC Monitoring, I investigate Russian state media, disinformation and influence operations across Telegram, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

I co-developed an investigation with the BBC Global Disinformation Unit that traced more than 6,400 false rape-claim posts across 1,714 Telegram channels, reaching around 65 million views. The work was published by BBC Russian, BBC Ukrainian and 12 BBC language services.

Since becoming a journalist in 2018, I've reported for RFE/RL, taz and BBC on post-Soviet politics, migration, digital security and Russia's war against Ukraine. I also led editorial work at ThroughTheNews and ran cybersecurity-awareness campaigns for The SecDev Foundation.

I combine OSINT, verification, Python, D3.js and data visualisation with AI-assisted visual storytelling. My comic documenting Georgia's protest crackdown was shortlisted for the EU Journalism Prize.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Digital Journalist

Current

BBC Monitoring

Jul 2023 - Present (3 years 2 months)

Co-develops cross-service investigations with the BBC Global Disinformation Unit, BBC Russian and BBC Ukrainian. Monitors Russian state media and pro-war Z-blogger community for daily briefings, and builds data visualisations of censorship patterns and propaganda networks.

OSINT Social Media Investigation Data Visualization Datawrapper Flourish D3.Js TGStat Telemetr Brandwatch Medialogia AI Generated Content Detection Verification

Digital Engagement Officer

The SecDev Foundation

Sep 2021 - Sep 2023 (2 years)

Ran cybersecurity awareness campaigns across multiple social media platforms. Produced visual explainers on digital security for non-specialist audiences and used audience and performance data to set editorial priorities.

Cyber Security Awareness Social Media visual communication Data Analysis

Journalist

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Jan 2021 - Jul 2023 (2 years 6 months)

Reported for digital, social and radio, producing text articles and video packages. Covered South Caucasus politics, migration and diaspora communities.

Journalism Reporting Video Production Digital Media

Freelance Journalist

taz, die tageszeitung

Jan 2019 - Jul 2023 (4 years 6 months)

Wrote on post-Soviet politics and social issues for a German readership.

Journalism Writing Research

Creative Editor

ThroughTheNews

Jan 2016 - Dec 2020 (4 years 11 months)

Led a small editorial team, developed new formats for covering social issues and managed daily content production.

Editorial Leadership Content Production Team Management

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Cardiff University

Master of Science, Computational and Data Journalism

2024 - 2025

Grade: Distinction

Activities and societies: Chevening Scholar

MSc in Computational and Data Journalism with Distinction, as a Chevening Scholar. Dissertation focused on AI-assisted visual journalism documenting police violence against Georgia's pro-EU protesters.