Safety and security of investigative journalists has become one of the biggest issues in the media today. At the just concluded African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC), Report for the World facilitated a discussion on this topic with the Africa Program Manager Alis Okonji emphasizing the gravity of the threats facing journalists in Africa. In the panel were our newsroom leaders and investigative journalists John-Allan Namu, CEO of Africa Uncensored and editor-in-chief of Premium Times Nigeria, Musikilu Mojeed, who discussed the risks they face in their line of duty – physical violence, psychological pressure, legal repercussions and digital vulnerabilities among others.

One of the most frightening realities investigative journalists face is the increasing frequency and brutality of external threats. In Nigeria and Kenya, police and government agencies have gone after journalists and their newsrooms. Cases of tear gassing, shooting, arbitrary arrest and even assassination of journalists have been recorded across the continent, showing just how dangerous this job can be. But it’s not just physical harm; intimidation extends to seizing passports and controlling journalists’ movements, preventing them from pursuing sensitive stories or seeking refuge elsewhere. Each act of aggression is a calculated move to disrupt the flow of information.

Journalists can also face risks from unexpected places, including within their own newsrooms. The panelists discussed the risk of having spies at their organizations, people who report on their colleagues to external authorities, a particularly sneaky threat being faced by African journalists. Other journalists can compromise the safety of their colleagues by providing government agencies or third parties with information that can be used to block investigations or put journalists in harm’s way. These challenges are difficult to identify and address, but the risk can be lowered through better newsroom policies and increased vigilance.

Journalists are also prime targets for digital espionage, as hackers can intercept communications, access journalists and source information or track their movements. Often journalists may not even know of a breach; and absence of indicators of a breach doesn’t mean devices are secure. Other safety and security sessions at AIJC emphasized the need to do regular checks to ensure data and communications are confidential, as even small details in the wrong hands can have damning consequences. Signs of surveillance on devices might include unexplained battery drain, abnormal data usage and unknown applications among others.

For women investigative journalists there’s an extra layer of vulnerability in the form of gender specific threats including sexual violence. Women journalists are disproportionately targeted with harassment online and offline, sexual violence is often used to shame or silence them. These threats not only put their physical lives at risk but also create a climate of psychological trauma making it even harder to pursue their stories. Addressing these gendered threats requires a two pronged approach – safety training that speaks to the specific needs of women journalists and advocacy for legal frameworks that hold perpetrators accountable.

Recommendations: Safeguarding the Storytellers

The panelists shared their recommendations to address these dangers in a coordinated approach across newsrooms, governments, and civil society.

1. Risk assessment and due diligence: News organizations must incorporate robust risk assessments into their investigative processes. Due diligence measures should extend to understanding the specific environments journalists operate within and assessing all possible risks they might face on assignment.
2. Resource allocation and training: Newsrooms should allocate additional resources for security. This includes funding for high-quality protective equipment, secure communication tools, and cybersecurity measures. Importantly, they must offer comprehensive security training tailored to the unique threats faced by their journalists, covering everything from conflict zone protocols to digital hygiene.
3. Collaboration and reporting mechanisms: Building partnerships with legal organizations, rights groups, and advocacy networks strengthens a newsroom’s support system. Journalists should have access to an internal reporting system to flag threats, supported by legal experts and security personnel who can act quickly in response to reported risks.

Read more recommendations featured in the Statement on Safety of Journalists in Africa here