Journalists are finding themselves under attack — online and off — from actors seeking to discredit and destroy the reputation of individual journalists. From Twitter to Facebook Live standups and back channels, we show how online abuse of journalists affects individual lives and the newsgathering process.
TrollBusters offers several group training and coaching classes in digital security for journalists and management:
Student Workshop: Staying Safe Online and Off as a Journalist
Student Workshop: 60-minute workshop via Zoom where students examine their digital footprint and the vulnerabilities in privacy as citizens, residents and users of social media platforms. Students will learn where and how online threats manifest against journalists and what to do now to protect your new career.
Contact Dr. Michelle Ferrier at report@troll-busters.com to schedule a classroom workshop.
Module 1: Defense Against the Digital Dark Arts for Journalists
This self-paced, instructor-led video webinar teaches how to spot online abuse and risks in digital security, the legal boundaries of online speech and ways in which journalists are exposed to online harassment. Participants will also generate their personal threat model and explore tools for protecting their digital reputation online and off.
Dates: See booking site
Cost: See booking site
Time: 1 ½ hour webinar
Instructor: Dr. Michelle Ferrier is the founder and CEO of Troll-Busters.com. She has been battling trolls for more than 15 years. She is a professor and researcher in journalism with a research focus on online communities, reputation management and digital identity.
Module 2: Physical Security for Journalists
Physical security is about taking steps to protect yourself (and your equipment) from damage or harm. For the purpose of this course, we’ll focus on securing our physical location.
Dates: See booking site
Cost: See booking site
Time: Five-week course; 10-hour content
Instructor: Dr. Michelle Ferrier is the founder and CEO of Troll-Busters.com. She has been battling trolls for more than 15 years. She is a professor and researcher in journalism with a research focus on online communities, reputation management and digital identity.
Module 3: Online Security for Journalists
Security breaches are so common that even trying to keep up with them can make your head spin. Luckily, there are ways to minimize your risk of hacking, identity theft, and other concerns.
Dates: See booking site
Cost: See booking site
Time: Five-week course; 10 hours of content
Instructor: Dr. Michelle Ferrier is the founder and CEO of Troll-Busters.com. She has been battling trolls for more than 15 years. She is a professor and researcher in journalism with a research focus on online communities, reputation management and digital identity.
Module 4: Workflow Security
What are you storing where, and why? Are you protecting sensitive information to and from sources?
Dates: See booking site
Cost: See booking site
Time: Five-week course; 10 hours of content
Instructor: Dr. Michelle Ferrier is the founder and CEO of Troll-Busters.com. She has been battling trolls for more than 15 years. She is a professor and researcher in journalism with a research focus on online communities, reputation management and digital identity.
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