A two-day capacity building workshop with the theme, “Digital Security & Resilience Workshop”, has been held at the International Press Centre, Ogba Lagos State.
The workshop, organized by the Human Rights Journalists Network Nigeria in collaboration with Africa International Human Rights Film Festival, had in attendance Journalists, Activists and Civil Society Organizations.
Kehinde Adegboyega, the Executive Director of HRJN, revealed at the conclusion of the training on Friday that the Human Rights Journalists Network is committed to providing assistance to journalists. While many organizations focus on various sectors, only a few genuinely prioritize the well-being and rights of journalists.
According to him, “The organization focuses on enhancing journalists skills and advocating for their rights, primarily focusing on freedom of expression. They have established partnerships to address integration challenges and support journalists. The workshop aimed to educate journalists on self-protection in individual spaces, as they hold governments accountable, often resulting in attacks and arrests. The West African Civil Society Institute supports this initiative”.
Adegboyega highlighted that the two-day workshop focused on self-protection in the digital age, emphasizing the need for support to continue providing training on various topics, especially digital security and journalist resilience, addressing state surveillance, protecting online, and partnering with an NGO for comprehensive support.
“This training equips participants with online security knowledge, recognizing ongoing education is crucial. It supports journalists and media organizations by providing resources and infrastructure to enhance their digital security.”
The speakers emphasized the importance of protecting journalists from attacks and ensuring their safety, while also acknowledging the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in holding governments accountable.
During the training, it was also emphasised that it is crucial for everyone, including journalists and civil society members to learn online safety precautions in order to ensure their safety and maintain their data and information.