Investigative journalists have been urged to strengthen both their digital security and psychological resilience.

No doubt, this is as they navigate increasingly complex reporting environments marked by surveillance, cyber threats and emotionally demanding assignments.

This formed the focus of day two of the Civic Space Guard Holistic Safety Workshop for Investigative Reporters organised by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism in partnership with NEEM Foundation.

The virtual masterclass brought together journalists from across the country.

This was to enable them to explore practical approaches to protecting sensitive information, safeguarding sources and managing the emotional toll associated with investigative reporting.

Opening the day’s sessions, Technology and Innovation Officer at WSCIJ, Stefan Akinnimi, stressed that digital security has become a fundamental requirement for journalists.

According to him, this includes those whose work often involves sensitive documents, confidential sources and high-impact investigations.

According to him, investigative reporting frequently attracts unwanted attention from malicious actors seeking to compromise accounts, steal information or disrupt journalistic work.

“Investigative journalism is consequential. It can expose wrongdoing, trigger reforms and hold powerful institutions accountable.

Because of that, journalists must pay serious attention to their own security,” he said.

Akinnimi explained that journalists are increasingly vulnerable to phishing attacks, compromised accounts, malicious files and online surveillance.

Consequently, he advised reporters to adopt proactive measures rather than waiting until a breach occurs.

To strengthen digital protection, he encouraged journalists to create unique passwords for every online account and avoid using predictable combinations such as names, birthdays or easily identifiable personal information.

Instead, he recommended using password management platforms that securely generate and store complex passwords.

“You don’t have to use the same password across multiple accounts because if an attacker gains access to one account, they may gain access to many others. Password managers help you create stronger and unique passwords without the burden of memorising them.”

Furthermore, Akinnimi advised participants to regularly monitor whether their email addresses have been exposed in data breaches through specialised security-check platforms.

He also highlighted multi-factor authentication as one of the most effective layers of protection against cyber intrusions.

According to him, applications such as authentication tools provided by major technology companies can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorised access, even when passwords are compromised.

Beyond passwords and authentication, he urged journalists to consider advanced protection measures, including physical security keys, encrypted communication channels and secure cloud backups.

He noted that physical security keys provide one of the strongest safeguards against account takeovers because attackers cannot gain access without possessing the device itself.

In addition, Akinnimi warned reporters against blindly trusting links, documents and urgent messages appearing to come from familiar organisations or colleagues.

He explained that cybercriminals increasingly clone legitimate websites and communication channels to trick unsuspecting users into revealing credentials.

“Whenever a message creates urgency and pressures you to click immediately, pause and verify first. Always check the sender, the web address and the purpose of the request before taking action,” he advised.

He further encouraged journalists to routinely update devices, review account recovery settings, remove unknown login sessions and secure sensitive communications through encrypted messaging platforms.

Meanwhile, the workshop shifted attention from digital threats to the human cost of investigative reporting during a session on psychological resilience facilitated by clinical psychologist, Chinyereugo Onyekwere.

Drawing from participants’ experiences, the session highlighted how prolonged exposure to trauma, violence, injustice and human suffering can leave lasting emotional scars on journalists.

Several participants recounted distressing assignments that continue to affect them years later.

One journalist recalled witnessing an elderly pensioner collapse and die during a protest, describing the experience as a defining moment that continues to haunt him.

Another participant narrated covering a disturbing child abuse case involving multiple victims, saying the graphic evidence and emotional weight of the story remained difficult to process long after publication.

Similarly, another reporter shared details of an investigation into the death of a woman in police custody, explaining how interactions with grieving family members and the pursuit of justice left a deep emotional impact.

Against this backdrop, Onyekwere emphasised that emotional recovery should become an intentional part of journalistic practice rather than an afterthought.

She encouraged journalists to openly discuss difficult experiences with trusted colleagues and support networks instead of internalising emotional distress.

“As colleagues, we need spaces where we can talk about what we have witnessed and what overwhelmed us. Sometimes, simply talking through those experiences is the first step toward recovery,” she said.

Additionally, she urged journalists to identify healthy coping mechanisms and avoid relying on harmful alternatives such as substance abuse.

According to her, resilience develops through deliberate self-awareness, healthy habits and clearly defined personal boundaries.

She also introduced participants to a personal resilience worksheet designed to help individuals evaluate coping strategies, recovery activities and emotional triggers.

Furthermore, she guided participants through a structured breathing exercise aimed at reducing stress and restoring focus during challenging situations.

The exercise combined controlled breathing, counting and visualisation techniques to help participants regain calm and emotional balance.

The workshop also featured a practical knowledge-sharing session led by the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, Motunrayo Alaka, who challenged participants to become champions of safety culture within their respective newsrooms.

Building on lessons from the two-day programme, Alaka stressed that the sustainability of safety initiatives in journalism depends largely on participants’ willingness to transfer knowledge to colleagues and peers.

According to her, resource limitations make it impossible for every journalist to participate directly in specialised training programmes.

Consequently, she urged attendees to act as multipliers by sharing the knowledge acquired during the workshop with others in their organisations.

“We want participants to become ambassadors of the training they receive. Training should not stop with those who attend. It should spread across newsrooms and professional networks,” she said.

Furthermore, Alaka observed that many media organisations still lack consistent internal capacity-building programmes despite having experienced journalists capable of mentoring younger colleagues.

She noted that newsroom training does not always require elaborate budgets, hotel conferences or external facilitators. Instead, she argued that knowledge-sharing can happen through regular editorial meetings, peer discussions and informal learning sessions.

“There is enormous expertise already sitting inside many newsrooms. Journalists who have covered specialised beats for years can serve as resource persons for their colleagues. We need to become more intentional about creating opportunities for learning,” she explained.

To facilitate knowledge transfer, Alaka introduced a three-step approach for participants seeking to replicate the training in their workplaces.

First, she advised journalists to simplify the lessons by breaking down complex concepts such as risk assessment, digital security and stress management into relatable and practical discussions.

Secondly, she encouraged participants to customise the lessons to suit the realities of their audiences, whether fellow reporters, editors, students or journalism enthusiasts.

Finally, she urged journalists to conclude every training session with a clear action point capable of producing measurable behavioural change.

“Every learning session should inspire at least one action. It could be enabling multi-factor authentication, reviewing digital security settings or strengthening personal safety practices. The important thing is that participants leave with something practical to implement immediately,” she stated.

Additionally, Alaka outlined several low-cost strategies for promoting safety awareness across media organisations. These include dedicating a few minutes during newsroom meetings to discuss safety lessons, organising peer-learning conversations, creating small-group learning sessions and sharing practical security tips through digital platforms such as WhatsApp and other collaborative channels.

According to her, cultivating a culture of continuous learning and safety consciousness is essential as journalists confront increasingly sophisticated threats in both the physical and digital environments.

She therefore urged participants not only to apply the lessons personally but also to ensure that the knowledge reaches colleagues who may not have had the opportunity to attend the workshop.

By the end of the workshop, facilitators reinforced the message that safeguarding journalists requires a holistic approach that combines digital protection, psychological resilience and continuous peer learning.

Participants were encouraged to strengthen their own safety practices while actively transferring knowledge within their newsrooms to help build a stronger culture of security across the media ecosystem.

As threats facing investigative reporters continue to evolve, the organisers maintained that equipping journalists with practical tools, emotional resilience and shared learning mechanisms remains critical to sustaining impactful, ethical and responsible journalism.