Zach Toombs
Executive Director of @EvidentMedia.org | Documentary producer
- Reposted by Zach ToombsWhat was the true impact of strikes on Iran's nuclear program? Rare on-the-ground access and innovative open-source analysis lead to new revelations in our documentary in partnership with @frontlinepbs.bsky.social @washingtonpost.com & @bellingcat.com. WATCH: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxBY...
- Reposted by Zach ToombsThis Giving Tuesday, support our nonprofit journalism by becoming an Evident Media Member. Members gain access to video podcasts and behind-the-scenes updates. And they help us keep our documentaries and investigations free. Go to evidentmedia.substack.com to get your first month free.
- If you want to support our mission and see more updates from our team (including blogs and conversations with me and other Evident folks), we have a new Evident membership program for you! Sign up here: evidentmedia.substack.com
- We're excited to introduce Evident Media's membership program! For $8/month you'll gain access to exclusive podcasts, workshops, and updates from our team — and you'll help us keep our reporting free for all. Support our mission for investigative visual journalism at evidentmedia.substack.com.
- Reposted by Zach ToombsWe're partnering with the Saul Zaentz Innovation Fund and @merrillcollege.bsky.social to support documentary journalism in 2026! Read about our new fellowship and our upcoming "Managed by the Algorithm" project here: www.evidentmedia.org/zaentz-fund
- Reposted by Zach ToombsThis is how federal agencies have used minor traffic stops, especially targeting moped delivery drivers, to funnel people into immigration detention and deportation. More than 40 videos analyzed with our partners @bellingcat.com shed light on the tactics. www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1iP...
- We just published this visual investigation of more than 100 videos to find patterns in ICE raids in LA. You can see how these raids mirror the raids that a court halted in CA's Eastern district earlier this year. @bellingcat.com @calmatters.org @evidentmedia.org www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bux...
- This video is built on the reporting of @sergioolmos.bsky.social and the skillful research of @koltai.bsky.social @poojachaudhuri.bsky.social Youri van der Weide, and Miguel Ramalho. And of course the talents and hard work of @jaesmart.bsky.social. Field reporting+OSINT+video has impact.
- Reposted by Zach ToombsHere's @theweekendmsnbc.bsky.social and @eugenedaniels2.bsky.social featuring our latest documentary report "Fighting to Serve" and the story of Maj. Erica Vandal, who's now facing a ban from the U.S. military as a transgender service member. Watch the full doc: www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0pl...
- Reposted by Zach ToombsIt was an absolute honor to accept this year’s News & Documentary Emmy Award for Video Journalism. Our mission has always been clear: to make the truth evident. This recognition belongs to the journalists who risk everything to stand by that mission.
- Reposted by Zach ToombsGlad to see @evidentmedia.org winning the News Emmys Award for Outstanding Video Journalism for our investigation A Hidden War, which you can see below www.bellingcat.com/news/2024/04...
- We're overjoyed to see our documentary produced in partnership with the @evidentmedia.org team “In Real Life: A Hidden War,” has been nominated for two News & Documentary Emmy Awards.
- "The Army is literally the only lifestyle I have ever known ... it's incredibly difficult knowing that it's likely going to be taken away." @danming.bsky.social spent time with a support group of trans soldiers facing the military's purge. Here's what they told us. www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0pl...
- Join us in a few minutes @evidentmedia.org 's first virtual advance screening, for our upcoming short documentary "Fighting to Serve" — link below
- Join us at 4 pm ET today on YouTube for an advance screening of our new short documentary "Fighting to Serve," followed by a Q&A between correspondent @danming.bsky.social and @dexdigi.bsky.social of @evidentmedia.org. www.youtube.com/live/rAPmbB6...
- Here's @dexdigi.bsky.social documenting the widespread surveillance around the LA protests — and breaking down its significance with @404media.co, for @evidentmedia.org. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXbO...
- I'll join @danming.bsky.social Monday for a virtual screening + Q&A about his short doc for @evidentmedia.org ft. interviews with transgender soldiers & Sen. Duckworth. This is an advance screening for Evident's supporters. Become a donor or RSVP for the event here www.eventbrite.com/e/fighting-t...
- Reposted by Zach ToombsLast month, Operation: Return to Sender screened in San Francisco, Bakersfield, and Los Angeles to incredible audiences — including a standing-room-only crowd in Bakersfield. Huge thanks to @calmatters.org for partnering with us to bring this story to life. Photo credit: Larry Valenzuela
- Reposted by Zach Toombs"Kasper’s naturalization continued unimpeded. He corresponded with immigration officials numerous times over the next 10 years, and says agents never warned him that a critical document was missing." This is who ICE arrested. A guy who forgot to fill a form. Because his wife had had a stillbirth.
- Puerto Rico became a tax haven for the wealthy, with hopes that money and jobs would trickle down through the economy. Instead, cost of living went through the roof. @natashadeltoro.bsky.social reports in "Paradise for Sale." www.youtube.com/watch?v=Al_N...
- Reposted by Zach Toombs🚨 The identity of the man behind MrDeepFakes, one of the largest, if not the most popular, platforms for deep fake celebrity pornography, is finally revealed. A must read!
- Exclusive: Bellingcat in partnership with @tjekdet.dk , @politiken.dk and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) can reveal the identity of a key administrator behind MrDeepFakes, one of the world’s largest providers of non-consensual deepfake pornography. www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/05...
- Reposted by Zach ToombsGreat to see that "A Hidden War" the doc that @bellingcat.com worked on with @evidentmedia.org covering home demolitions in Gaza and illegal outpost expansion was nominated for TWO News Emmys. Full doc here: vimeo.com/1042499084 @nickwaters.bsky.social here: www.bellingcat.com/news/2024/04...
- Reposted by Zach ToombsYou can see our documentary partnership with @evidentmedia.org and @calmatters.org covering the border patrol raids that took place 300 miles from the border in California here: www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/04...
- Judge restricts Border Patrol in California: ‘You just can’t walk up to people with brown skin and say give me your papers” W/ @wendyfry.bsky.social calmatters.org/justice/2025...
- For your #EarthDay viewing: Our new @evidentmedia.org doc shows the impacts of climate change on cultural heritage, from endangered archaeological digs in Alaska to eroding historical sites in Tanzania. Free in full here: youtu.be/-puZCrQ06kU?...
- Great conversation here with @danming.bsky.social on rising U.S.-China tensions and the themes of our @evidentmedia.org doc “Arming the Pacific.” Thank you @natashadeltoro.bsky.social and AJ’s The Take for the in-depth discussion. youtu.be/sgd2W_Z399A?...
- Reposted by Zach ToombsAs part of the #USClimateActionSummit, we are proud to present "Museum on Fire," our upcoming documentary that charts the impacts of climate change on humanity's cultural heritage. Join us for the premiere on April 21 in collaboration with @climategroup.bsky.social. vist.ly/3m29wpa
- Our partner @bellingcat.com analyzed 50 civilian videos showing U.S. Border Patrol's sweeping raid in central CA. Data obtained by @calmatters.org shows Border Patrol had no knowledge of criminal history for 77 of the 78 people arrested. @evidentmedia.org doc here www.youtube.com/watch?v=m93x...
- Agents from the El Centro division of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said their Bakersfield mission was highly targeted. Data we obtained suggests otherwise, and @bellingcat.com's analysis of civilian videos shows CBP sweeps at gas stations, outside farms and in a Home Depot parking lot.
- "The people here ... they've been in our operations for some 30 years. They're hard-working people that don't deserve to be harassed." Our report w/ @calmatters.org and @bellingcat.com reveals the reality behind border patrol's sweeping arrests in central California. www.youtube.com/watch?v=m93x...
- Reposted by Zach ToombsAn investigation into obtained arrest records contradicts the U.S. Customs & Border Protection's messaging that Operation Return to Sender was a "highly targeted” law enforcement action. Full report from Evident, @calmatters.org, @sergioolmos.bsky.social & @bellingcat.com: evidentmedia.live/44fZ1mX
- Reposted by Zach ToombsA U.S. border patrol unit traveled 300 mi. to carry out sweeping arrests in Bakersfield, California. Officials claim it was a "targeted" operation, but evidence gathered in this investigation from Evident, @calmatters.org and @bellingcat.com shows otherwise. Full report: evidentmedia.live/44fZ1mX
- I talked about AI and video journalism with @dexdigi.bsky.social. We have more concerns than solutions, but there’s value in putting a consistent focus on this stuff.
- How worried are you about artificial intelligence in video journalism? “I’m very concerned, I’ll be real. … I think what it’s going to bring about is an erosion of facts, period.” 🎙️ @zachtoombs.bsky.social & @dexdigi.bsky.social
- And if you want deeper analysis from an expert on the threats of gen AI, please do check out this deep dive from @koltai.bsky.social on AI-fueled e-commerce scams. youtu.be/hvYqjROs4Ro?...
- Reposted by Zach ToombsThe U.S. military is not always eager to offer looks at their training, so why was the Army willing to showcase jungle training school? “I think they think it makes them look cool in a way." – @danming.bsky.social Watch the full documentary now: evidentmedia.live/3FyhBfK 🎙️ @dexdigi.bsky.social
- If you shop on Etsy, Amazon, or other e-commerce platforms where AI scams are fooling customers, this is worth a watch.
- You might be thinking this mug is almost too pretty to use. (Spoiler alert: It is.) In our latest video, @koltai.bsky.social of @bellingcat.com offers tips on how consumers can detect AI scams. Watch the full documentary: evidentmedia.live/4iG6yA5
- AI opens up possibilities for creation — and for fraud. When almost anyone can make almost anything without human expertise, the errors and distortions can have real-world impacts. @evidentmedia.org partnered with @bellingcat.com and @koltai.bsky.social to show how. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvYq...
- These AI-fueled scams trick customers on some of the biggest e-commerce platforms. This write-up from @koltai.bsky.social and @bellingcat.com gets into the details and some truly shocking examples. www.bellingcat.com/resources/20...
- This is a very cool and very valuable deep dive on AI scams we’re dropping tomorrow with @bellingcat.com. Stay tuned!
- AI is fueling e-commerce scams. How can we spot them? "AI Detection 101" drops tomorrow, 3/25, on Evident's social platforms in collaboration with @bellingcat.com and reported by @koltai.bsky.social. Subscribe for free: evidentmedia.live/youtube
- Reposted by Zach ToombsEvident celebrated our launch with a great crowd in DC and surpassed our founding donor fundraising goal on the spot. We are so grateful for everyone who has supported Evident, a nonprofit newsroom, and our mission to create documentary journalism for the public good.
- Reposted by Zach ToombsThe Pentagon just called off a briefing for Elon Musk about its plans for a potential war with China, according to NYT. I recently traveled to Hawaii, Okinawa and Guam to report on these very plans, and the communities who would be on the frontlines of such a war. Watch here:
- DC friends, come through!
- Evident is proud to co-present a screening of the investigative documentary "Black Snow" at the DC Environmental Film Festival this Saturday. Our executive director @zachtoombs.bsky.social will join the filmmakers for a post-screening discussion. Details & tickets: evidentmedia.live/4ihNuIj
- Reposted by Zach ToombsHow is the U.S. Army preparing for war with China? We joined Jungle Training School to help you see how intense and representational it is. Watch the full report now: evidentmedia.live/3FyhBfK CW: Reporting contains moments of violence @danming.bsky.social
- Love this decision from @wired.com to make its coverage of public records freely available. Journalism has to be transparent and accessible to reach the people who need it most. "The news business isn’t just any business." 100% this.
- In partnership with @freedom.press, WIRED will make all of its FOIA-based reporting free to access for anyone. Public records should be public, and I hope to see more outlets follow suit: freedom.press/issues/wired...
- Hello, new @bsky.app friends! I’m part of a team that just launched @evidentmedia.org, a nonprofit producing documentary journalism for the public good. We cover AI, human rights, environment + more. Here’s our latest on the Pacific islands caught between the U.S. and China. youtu.be/UnM3YEwT4M8?...
- Reposted by Zach ToombsWhy are thousands of people in Japan protesting the United States’ military presence there? @danming.bsky.social reports from Japan and explains why American Marines are pulling out of Okinawa. Watch the full documentary: evidentmedia.live/3FyhBfK
- Reposted by Zach Toombs"Who gets killed first if there should be a war? Absolutely, our people. The island of Guam." The U.S. military has made the island territory of Guam a key foothold in its pivot against China. That also makes Guam a target. Watch the full video: evidentmedia.live/3FyhBfK #documentaryjournalism
- This report from @danming.bsky.social starts with a trek through US Army Jungle Training School and ends with an inside look at local pushback to an expanding military footprint on Guam. Valuable insight into how US-China tensions increase pressure on territories and allies. youtu.be/UnM3YEwT4M8?...
- Reposted by Zach ToombsThe U.S. and China are on a collision course in the Pacific, leaving American allies and island territories in the line of fire: “We don't have any rights.” Correspondent @danming.bsky.social reports from Japan, Hawaii and Guam. CW: Moments of violence Watch more: youtu.be/UnM3YEwT4M8
- Crucial reporting from @danming.bsky.social and team in our first Evident documentary. Full project out tomorrow on @evidentmedia.org
- Premiering tomorrow: Our first Evident documentary, "Arming the Pacific," shows how rising tensions between the U.S. and China put American allies and territories in the line of fire. Featuring @danming.bsky.social's on-the-ground reporting in Japan, Hawaii and Guam. 👉 evidentmedia.live/youtube
- The models for supporting journalism are under intense pressure. But news orgs, independent journalists & nonprofits are betting on the power of building a community that cares about our journalism. Follow @evidentmedia.org for more on our mission to produce doc journalism for the public good.
- The models that fund journalism are under unprecedented pressure. Here's why we're feeling optimistic. 🎙️ @dexdigi.bsky.social & @zachtoombs.bsky.social
- Reposted by Zach ToombsFrom human rights to environmental harm, our team’s projects cover crucial issues through documentary journalism. In “State of Exception,” correspondent @nelufar.bsky.social explores the international ripple effects of drastic mass incarceration in #ElSalvador. ▶️ evidentmedia.live/3QP702x
- Reposted by Zach ToombsNew ideas and new models are necessary to support impactful journalism. At Evident, we are building a nonprofit news organization to rebuild trust and cut through the noise. Learn more: evidentmedia.live/43v7suB
- Now is the time for new ideas in journalism. Here's why our team at @evidentmedia.org is creating a nonprofit news organization that produces documentary journalism for the public good. evidentmedia.live/43v7suB
- Reposted by Zach ToombsWe have put our stake in the ground and are creating something new to bring documentary journalism to the public and for the public. This is Evident, and here’s why it matters. Subscribe to our newsletter for more: evidentmedia.live/newsletter
- Conflict, environment, human rights — these are issues that need journalism and visual reporting now more than ever. It’s why we’ve started @evidentmedia.org’s YouTube channel with powerful documentaries on each of these issues. Subscribe on YouTube to support & see more. youtube.com/@evidentmedi...
- Amazing day 1 for @evidentmedia.org on Bluesky. Help us connect with 1k followers tonight (we’re so close)!
- Reposted by Zach ToombsWe're excited to see our longstanding partners' new venture 'Evident' launch today. Check out their YouTube (www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD1R...) and website (www.evidentmedia.org). And see if you can spot our own @koltai.bsky.social in their promo video. She'll be appearing on their channel very soon!
- Hello Bluesky! @evidentmedia.org is a nonprofit news org for documentary journalism, powered by the public. We're thrilled to partner with @bellingcat.com @calmatters.org and others on early projects. And excited to build a community for docu journalism here on Bluesky!
