NAIROBI, Kenya— Katiba Institute has trained journalists and human rights defenders on strategic communication, digital security and personal safety as concerns grow over the rising number of physical and cyber threats targeting media professionals.
The training, held on July 4 at Kyaka Hotel in Machakos, aimed to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen participants’ capacity to prevent, identify and respond to security threats in their day-to-day work.
Facilitators stressed that prevention remains the first line of defence, urging participants to adopt simple but effective safety measures both at work and at home.
Among the recommendations was adopting a two-door policy, ensuring there are at least two barriers before accessing private spaces, and maintaining a clear desk policy for both physical workstations and laptop desktops to prevent sensitive information from being exposed.
Participants were also encouraged to avoid predictable routines such as using the same route to work every day, be cautious about the personal information they share with others, and always identify emergency exits in buildings to allow for a quick escape if faced with danger.
Digital threats becoming more sophisticated
The workshop highlighted the rapid evolution of cyber threats affecting journalists and human rights defenders, including phishing, vishing and smishing attacks designed to steal credentials, compromise devices and manipulate users.
Facilitators advised participants to use strong passwords for their accounts and devices, avoid sharing passwords and carefully review software before installing it to reduce the risk of malware and other cyber attacks.
The sessions also explored the growing threat posed by misinformation, disinformation and malinformation, explaining how each is used to manipulate public opinion and damage reputations.
Participants learned that AI-generated content has become increasingly realistic, making it harder to distinguish between authentic and fabricated information.
One of the facilitators, Abraham Mariita, warned that internet privacy tools should not create a false sense of security.
“Even if you’re using a VPN, your browsing data can still be viewed by your internet service provider,” he said.
Another facilitator, Francis Ndegwa, cautioned against sharing harmful AI-generated content online.
“Malicious AI-generated content can be harmful to the people featured. Sharing such content spreads the harm even if not intended,” he said.
Participants share real-life security experiences
Participants recounted incidents where they had been targeted because of their work, describing both physical attacks and digital harassment that affected their safety and professional responsibilities.
The training emphasized that journalists and human rights defenders handle sensitive information whose exposure could endanger sources, contacts and communities.
Facilitators urged participants to apply secure communication practices when handling confidential information and to be mindful of the data they store and share online.
Other topics covered included understanding the evolving threat landscape, analysing different operating contexts, identifying risk situations through case studies, responding to security incidents and maintaining healthy online habits by avoiding the unnecessary sharing of sensitive information.
Participants were also introduced to common human responses during dangerous situations—flight, freeze or fight—and encouraged to document every security incident, analyse patterns and develop procedures that reduce future vulnerabilities.
By the end of the training, participants said they had gained practical skills to strengthen both their personal safety and digital security, recognising that awareness, preparedness and proactive action remain critical in protecting themselves, their workplaces and the people who rely on them.