Saijai Liangpunsakul

In an era of increasing surveillance and sophisticated cyber threats and harassment, news professionals need to up their game to better protect themselves and the people they work with. This workshop will offer journalists practical, up-to-date guidance on protecting their data and sources, using secure communications, and managing the specific risks that arise when crossing borders. Participants will also gain an expert briefing on the evolving digital threat landscape facing journalists today, from targeted spyware to social engineering, for strengthening their digital security. Objectives By the end of the session, participants will be able to: ● Identify and assess key digital threats relevant to their work, including targeted attacks, surveillance risks, and technology-facilitated harassment ● Apply concrete risk mitigation strategies to secure devices, accounts, and sensitive data using industry-standard practices (e.g., multi-factor authentication, encryption, secure backups) ● Implement secure communication protocols to protect confidential sources ● Analyze different forms of online harassment and determine appropriate response pathways ● Execute immediate response actions in harassment incidents, including evidence preservation, reporting, and takedown strategies ● Access to resources available Topics Covered: ● Digital threat landscape for journalists: targeted attacks, phishing, surveillance, and doxxing ● Emerging risks: AI-generated harassment, deepfakes, and cross-platform amplification ● Device and account security: password hygiene, multi-factor authentication, and secure data storage ● Secure communication practices: encrypted tools, metadata risks, and source protection protocols ● Protecting sensitive information and minimizing digital exposure ● Typologies of online harassment targeting journalists ● Incident response: documentation, reporting mechanisms, and content takedown processes ● Safety planning and psychosocial considerations in high-risk cases ● Support ecosystems: referral pathways and available resources available in Southeast Asia Methodology ● Practical demonstrations of tools and security practices ● Scenario-based exercises to apply risk assessment and response strategies ● Resource toolkit on online harassment shared with participants Trainer This session will be led by Saijai Liangpunsakul, Founder and CEO of Stop Online Harm, and supported by the Committee to Protect Journalists, an international press freedom organization that defends the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal. Stop Online Harm is a survivor-led organization working at the intersection of technology, human rights, and gender-based violence across Southeast Asia.