IREX Supports the Digital and Physical Security of Journalists
Every year dozens of journalists are killed for simply seeking to report the truth. Thousands face violence, threats, harassment, and retaliations against their families and employers. Most of these crimes against journalists go unsolved and unpunished. This year's World Press Freedom Day [5]recognizes these challenges to both professional and citizen journalists by focusing on journalists' physical and digital security under the theme, Safe to Speak. IREX has a long commitment to supporting free media and protecting the safety of journalists.
Regional Journalist Security Network
This week IREX launched [6] the Regional Journalists Security Network [7] in El Salvador. The program will provide both physical and digital security training, consulting and resources from the newly launched center in El Salvador for Central America, Nairobi for East Africa, and Georgia for the Caucasus.
Are You Ready to be Hacked? Digital Security Training for Journalists
IREX is providing a training at World Press Freedom Day, Are You Ready to be Hacked? Securing Safety of Data and Source Material for Journalists. The training addresses a rapidly growing threat to journalists - the digital harassment of journalists, theft of data, and the use of private data against journalists. Led by Oktavia Jonsdottir (who will lead IREX's Regional Journalist Security Network) and Smari McCarthy, the training provides hands on training and practical advice using open source tools that allows journalists to protect their data.
World Press Freedom Fellows [8]
This year, for the third consecutive year, IREX supported frontline journalists and free speech advocates to attend World Press Freedom Day and share their experiences and contribute to the discussion on how to support press freedom globally. This year fellows from Bahrain, China, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, Mozambique, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe are participating in World Press Freedom Day events in Costa Rica.