Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF) is proud to partner with the Center for Investigative Journalism (CIJ) on a comprehensive eight week digital security course for independent journalists, which aims to teach reporters and filmmakers working on risky subjects how to better protect themselves and their sources online.

The course, titled the Source Protection Programme, will feature several high-profile guest lecturers, including by our own Director of Digital Security Harlo Holmes. Topics will range from encrypted communications, first-contact conundrums, and planning for risk; to mitigating retaliation and support post-publication.

Below is a full description of the course. Please fill out this short application on CIJ’s website if you would like to participate.

Source Protection Programme details

  • 8 weeks, 6 training sessions, 6 guest lectures, 2 office hour slots, taking place on Monday and Wednesday evenings
  • Two cohorts of between 10 – 15 participants
  • Two time slots for the programme (1 x North America (EST), 1 x European (BST))
  • A certificate of completion will be awarded by FPF and the CIJ at the conclusion of the programme to all participants who have attended at least 90% of the teaching sessions

Each Monday of the programme participants will have exclusive access to a guest lecture or conversation from the likes of Iona Craig, Sonia Kennebeck, Omar Mohammed (Mosul Eye) and more TBA.

On Wednesday evenings participants will have access to training sessions and workshops led by Harlo Holmes, Fabio Natali and Runa Sandvik including:

  • Threat Assessment Workshop
  • Information Security Fundamentals
  • Advanced Information Security 1 & 2
  • Advanced Newsroom Security
  • Source Protection
  • Training Sources in OpSec

Interspersed between the hands-on workshops, our training team will schedule ‘Office Hours’ sessions where participants will be able to book one to one slots to address specific concerns or issues.