Securing Truth: How Journalists Fight Data-Greed

The Mission: Protect the Press

Independent journalism ensures truth prevails over power. Digital security is essential to safeguard journalistic work, but adversaries are increasingly targeting the free press. Securing online anonymity becomes crucial in a “data-greedy” world where privacy erodes.

Freedom of the Press Foundation: A Three-Pronged Approach

The Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) supports press freedom through three primary areas. Firstly, their advocacy team, including lawyers and reporters, defends First Amendment rights. Secondly, their engineering division develops tools like SecureDrop. Lastly, the digital security team offers training and support.

“Digital security nihilism is 100% a thing.”

—Harlo Holmes, Director of Digital Security at the Freedom of the Press Foundation

Harlo Holmes emphasizes that digital security should not become an undue burden, but rather a supportive element that facilitates effective storytelling. Journalists, particularly those in dangerous regions, face significant risks; failures in digital security can have severe consequences. According to a recent study, attacks on journalists have risen by 30% in the last year (CPJ 2024).

Fighting Back: Techniques and Tools

Compartmentalization is a key practice: separating devices to prevent a single point of failure. Journalists should not use the same device for sensitive stories and everyday tasks. Furthermore, credential security is crucial—using strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication is important.

Looking Ahead: A Better Future

The evolution of encrypted technologies offers hope. Holmes cites Joe Biden’s endorsement of Signal as a positive example. Signal’s encryption of phone conversations represents the kind of technological advancement that the public requires.

The future of digital security for journalists involves open-source options such as Nextcloud and CryptPad. Middleware that provides encryption and other protections is a key area of need. The ultimate goal is end-to-end encryption, whether in SecureDrop, Nextcloud, CryptPad, or even Google.

Finally, the expansion of media history to include podcasters and YouTubers indicates that digital protections are relevant across media types. Encouraging options and constructing creative solutions is essential for safeguarding press freedom, especially in a digital age.