What Is the Cyber Security for Journalists in Trump Era?

The National Press Club will host an event on Monday, March 13 (6:30- 8 p.m.) in the First Amendment Lounge. The event is titled “Cyber Security for Journalists of Increasing Importance in Trump Era.”

The event is being organized with the belief that days when cyber security practices could reasonably be looked upon as an optional work skill for journalists are behind us.

In the first weeks of the Trump administration, an unprecedented spate of leaks to news outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post has been responded to with demands from President Trump to identify and crack down on those anonymous officials leaking to the press.

The seemingly increased willingness among U.S. officials to disclose sensitive information to reporters and the administration’s threats to punish would-be leakers serve to highlight the responsibility that journalists have to protect their anonymous sources, beginning from the very first point of contact.

[ Trump Is Worried, as FBI May Leak Out Secret Trump Information ]

A panel of reporters and cyber security professionals will examine the current threat landscape and offer recommendations to journalists on how to safeguard their digital communications at an evening discussion on March 13. The event is part of the National Press Club’s annual celebration of Sunshine Week.

Confirmed panelists include:

• Joseph Lorenzo Hall, Chief Technologist, Center for Democracy & Technology
• Dr. Emma Garrison-Alexander, Vice Dean Cybersecurity Graduate Program, UMUC
• Jack Gillum, investigative reporter for the Associated Press
• Dlshad Othman, digital security advisor at Internews Network
• Rachel Oswald, vice chair of the NPC’s Press Freedom Committee and a reporter for CQ Rollcall, will moderate.

This event is co-sponsored by the National Press Club Journalism Institute’s Press Freedom and Professional Development committees.