Digital Security for Journalists from Marginalized Communities

"By fostering a global digital security community for civil society and equipping individuals and organizations with the tools and knowledge to defend themselves against targeted attacks, we empower our partners to operate safely in an increasingly dangerous online environment."



This set of guides is designed to be used by digital security specialists working with journalists from marginalised communities - in particular for journalists who are women, caregivers, or from the LGBTQI+ community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, plus any other non-straight or non-cisgender people) and the Roma ethnic group. Some of the advice might also apply to journalists whose colleagues, sources, or other collaborators belong to this community. Each guide includes security considerations, mitigation strategies, and resources relevant to the marginalised group.



The guides have been developed by Internews as part of their work to tackle digital security issues facing journalists, human rights defenders, and other at-risk groups around the world and were informed by insights from journalists from Central and Southeastern Europe.



The guides include the following information:

• The challenges faced by each group, including the kinds of threats they face (e.g., online harassment, hate speech, trolling, doxxing, phishing, or malware), their most likely attackers, and what makes this group particularly vulnerable.
• Managing digital strategies, which include mitigation strategies and tools.
• How to talk to and persuade others to build communities and systems of good digital security practices for the community by, for example, identifying allies, educating, and communicating about the issue.
• A list of digital security resources relevant to each group.  

The guides are as follows (click on the title to download each guide in PDF format):

 

• Digital Security for Journalists from Marginalized Communities: Women [PDF, 4 pages] - This guide is designed for women journalists who are concerned about their digital security, taking into account the different concerns of both the cis and trans communities.
• Digital Security for Journalists from Marginalized Communities: Caregivers [PDF, 5 pages] - This guide is intended for anyone who has caregiving responsibilities. Some example groups may include those who care for minors (parents, guardians, etc.), those who care for people with illnesses, those who care for persons with disabilities, and those who care for older adult family members.
• Digital Security for Journalists from Marginalized Communities: Roma [PDF, 4 pages] - This guide is intended for journalists who belong to or work with the Romani, or Roma, ethnic group.
• Digital Security for Journalists from Marginalized Communities: LGBTQI+ [PDF, 4 pages] - This guide is designed for journalists who identify as or work with sources who identify as members of the LGBTQI+ community.