Basic
Type of Organization or Community: Media organization
Type of Work: The organization collects, processes, and disseminates information on current events via radio. The organization’s main focus is on development media to inform and educate listeners .
Country or Region: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Work Environment: Staff members are dispersed throughout the region with work being done from various locations.
Organization or Community Size & Makeup: The organization consists of a total of 12 staff and 3 trainees. Four of the staff members have basic technical knowledge but have received no formal training.
Legal and Cultural Landscape
Setting
The territory in which this organization operates has been experiencing intense activity by armed rebel groups and local and foreign terrorist groups for almost 10 years.
Connectivity quality
Internet in the region is not stable and is very expensive. Staff typically have average internet connection.
Cultural & social norms
Despite the very conservative nature of local communities,the radio station covers all current affairs and does not self-censor on controversial issues in the region.
Security Practices and Policies
- No digital security policy exists apart from precautions taken individually by some staff, such as utilizing strong passwords for accounts and profiles on social networks.
- Organization staff members do not use multi-factor authentication.
- Only one journalist from the radio station has taken a basic digital security training.
Tools + Devices
Devices:
- Staff use smartphones and computers to do their work. Journalists in the field primarily use smartphones though computers are also sometimes used.
- The office only has one small modem capable of connecting up to 8 devices.
Tools & Platforms:
- Journalists use WhatsApp to exchange and share information.
- The radio station has a Facebook page to connect with listeners.
- File transfers are done using Gmail.
Key Processes or Workflows
- Staff members throughout the region maintain connections with and gather information from journalists in the field.
- The organization disseminates information through a local radio station as well as through online discussion groups.
- The organization prepares listening reports at the end of each month.
Key Challenges or Questions
- How can passwords be shared securely for social media accounts and profiles that are managed by multiple people?
- Given that most journalists use their smartphones to collect and save their data, how can data and information collected in the field best be protected?
- Journalists do not have digital security training and the organization staff do not have IT training to ensure the security of the systems in place.
