Security training and development on online training portal for print and electronic media journalists in Pakistan
Pakistan is one of the deadliest countries for local journalists. In addition to facing various dangers when reporting, they are subject to constant digital security threats. Given that most journalists in Pakistan do not know how to protect themselves against cyber criminals, this project will develop a comprehensive manual for tjese journalists detailing Pakistan's existing (and missing) security laws and cyber policies. Based on this manual, digital security training will be offered to 150 journalists in Lahore and Islamabad as well as to journalism and mass communication students at Fatimah Jinnah Women’s University, Punjab University and the National University of Science and Technology (NUST). The training will also be available online in order to expand its reach.
During the biennium (2014-2015), UNESCO/IPDC organized, through Frontline Post, a series of training workshops which directly link to the issue of Safety of Journalists and Issues of Impunity in Pakistan; under UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity. Under the project, 131 journalists, 76 mass communication students including forty 40 female students were trained and training manual and web portal was developed in the wake of digital security threats facing by journalists. The workshops aimed to aware journalists of the importance of digital safety & security and to introduce journalists with the ideas of how to increase their level of understanding to make them safe users of digital communication tools, internet and computer. The main results of the training workshop are: 1. Capacity building of 131 journalists from conflict ridden and small districts like Sargodha, Chakwal and Charsada on digital safety and security and to inform them about various threats and challenges related to cyber and telecommunication digital tools; 2. Capacity building of sixty 76 students of Mass Communications, Sargodha University, Punjab including 40 female students; 3. Developed training manual on digital safety and security and multiple software’s were developed on CD including KeePass – for secured password, GPG4Usg – for encryption, Eraser – to remove data 256 layers down and Recuva – file recovery; 4. The project also developed a web portal for Safety of Journalists and Ethical Journalism. The web portal is available on the website of Frontline Post with the course of ethical Journalism Standards Training and safety of Journalist Training. During the reporting period, the project met all the desired targets, as per the contract. However, the project witnessed some great challenges for smooth and efficient implementation as per the original contract. Lack of professionalism, nonexistence of effective coordination, changes in the targeted audience and geographic locations were some challenges confronted by UNESCO. The original idea was to develop a comprehensive manual for the journalists in Pakistan with the details of security laws and cyber policies the country in place and lacking for general public as well as for journalists. Based on this manual, digital security training would be offered to 150 journalists, 100 mass communication students (Fatimah Jinnah Women University, Punjab University and National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and journalists from Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar and FATA in collaboration with the press clubs. Based on the project implementation and working relationship with the contractor, it is well noted that in the future, a complete scrutiny will be carried out of the contractors as per the standard UNESCO rules and policy in order to avoid any unwanted scenario for the project implementation. The training workshop contributed to increase awareness and better understanding of the working journalists from conflict ridden areas and students of mass communications on safety and security of digital communication where they protect their work and themselves from cyber crimes.