The Human Rights Journalists Network Nigeria (HRJN) recently hosted a comprehensive two-day workshop aimed at enhancing the digital security skills of journalists, activists, and civil society organizations from Nigeria and other African countries.
The HRJN workshop tagged “Digital Security and Resilience Workshop,” was supported by the West African Civil Society Institute (WACSI) and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, in collaboration with Citizens Gavel.
HRJN’s Executive Director, Mr. Kehinde Adegboyega, emphasized the critical importance of the workshop, particularly for journalists who often face risks while holding governments accountable. “Journalists increasingly operate within the digital realm and must be equipped to protect themselves. This workshop, with support from WACSI, directly addressed the dangers journalists encounter, such as state surveillance, and provided practical solutions,” Adegboyega noted.
The workshop featured expert facilitators who covered a range of topics crucial for digital safety and resilience. Israel Olatunji, a Data Scientist and founder of ChatVE, highlighted the significance of understanding digital security principles like confidentiality, integrity, and availability. “Emerging threats, such as zero-day vulnerabilities, exploit unknown weaknesses in digital systems. Journalists must be proactive in protecting their digital assets,” Olatunji explained.
Oluwadamilare Ayankoya, Tech Lead at Citizens Gavel, introduced participants to PODUS AI, an AI-powered legal assistant designed to improve access to justice in Nigeria. “Through technological innovations, we aim to expedite justice. PODUS AI connects the underprivileged with legal assistance, facilitating access to pro bono lawyers,” Ayankoya stated.
HRJN’s Web and Program Digital Manager, Godstime Agho, conducted sessions on practical digital security measures, such as using strong passwords and Open-Source Intelligence Tools (OSINT). He stressed the need for organizations to develop robust security policies. “Implementing strong digital security practices is essential for safeguarding sensitive information and physical assets,” Agho emphasized.
Co-founder of HRJN and Publisher of BONews Service, Blessing Oladunjoye, advised journalists to adopt comprehensive digital security measures, including Two-Step Verification and multi-factor authentication on various platforms. “Given the sensitive nature of our work, it is imperative to secure our devices and online presence to protect our information and interactions,” Oladunjoye advised.
Godstime Agho
A media career development specialist with over 30 years of media industry experience and presently the Executive Director, of Media Career Development Network, Pastor Lekan Otufodubarin, was also on the ground to advise participants to put to use, all that they have learned at the workshop.
The workshop underscored the vital role of digital security in modern journalism and the ongoing efforts to protect those who champion transparency and accountability. Participants left equipped with practical knowledge and tools to enhance their digital resilience, ensuring they can continue their work without compromising their safety.
