Digital Safety for Effective Journalism

The emergence of new media and influx of multiple means of information sharing has increased the challenges that contemporary media is facing in dissemination of upholding of truth among the populace. Technological innovations have increased the platform through which information sharing is done as well as devices with which people can exchange information from time to time.

Despite that journalists and media houses are the traditional sources of genuine information to the general public, they also have to adapt to the emerging trends in information sharing in order to reach their target audiences as early as possible, while taking note of the need to protect their information and communications from growing trends that comes with new media tools.

Here are some of the few things that a journalist must do for protection at this digital age:

E-mail security: as a journalist (especially one that specializes in investigative coverage) it is imperative to always secure internet provider by making sure that “https:” is at the beginning of the website on which your e-mail address is being registered or check. It is necessary to only use secured internet sources (beware of free wifi) when online as some free internet access are cloned (set as bait) to access data of users, while they think it’s just a free access. Most important take the security of your mail accounts personal by ensuring proper sign-out and account history deleting, especially after using a public or non personal device.

Password: this is the most affordable but yet unattended to means of security for every digital account holder, most users take password to be something casual to the extent that people use date of birth, class name, nicknames and so on to represent their password, while some even adopt one password for multiple account for ease (as they call it). The rule of passwording is that it should be simple for you to remember as an individual, not simple for easy guess by someone that may want to compromise your account.

Two-Factor login: sometimes strong passwords are not enough, additional effectiveness could be achieved with a second layer authentication where you may need to verify account login into one device or platform from another. This would enable the user/journalist know when another person is trying to access his/her account from another device or location.

Malware and updates: manufacturers of digital devices are aware of emerging threats and risks that is why most of them have created a pattern for software updates to further strengthen the security of our devices, which is why is important to always undertake recommended updates and read carefully also before clicking some updates link to protect the device, softare and existing programmes that are being used in daily discharge of duties.

 

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