In collaboration with Internews, Localization Lab has partnered with participants from their Journalist Security Fellowship (JSF) to localize essential digital security training materials. These fellows, who were part of the pilot program for Central and Southeastern Europe, have not only benefited from targeted training and mentorship but have also become regional champions, sharing their expertise with fellow journalists in their communities.
Localization Lab promoted an in-person Sprint in Costa Rica in 2023, and then three online sprints, working with experienced Language Coordinators from our community to ensure consistency, accuracy, and a tone and voice that will serve the communities.
The first phase involved collaborating with the JSF fellows on the localization of Tabletop Exercise Scenarios and a facilitation guide for digital safety training tailored specifically for journalists. These interactive resources, developed by the fellows themselves, guide participants through discussions of critical digital security scenarios and assess their organization or community's preparedness for potential incidents.
The scenarios cover a range of situations, including missing devices, organizational security and link awareness, harassment and doxxing, and authorities entering a newsroom or a journalist's home.
These valuable tools are now available in English, Romanian, Croatian, Hungarian, Polish, Albanian, Czech, Spanish, and Arabic, making them accessible to a wider audience of journalists and media professionals.
Localization Lab also worked with the fellows to translate and adapt key resources from the Electronic Frontier Foundation's (EFF) Surveillance Self-Defense project. EFF is a leading advocate for digital privacy, free speech, and innovation, and their guides offer practical advice on navigating the digital landscape securely.
Three essential guides were selected for localization:
Malware: This guide provides an overview of malware, its types, installation methods, and practical tips for protection.
Metadata: This article explores the sensitivity of metadata, illustrating how seemingly innocuous details can reveal personal information and the need for robust privacy protections.
Threat Models: This guide offers a framework for creating a personalized security plan to protect digital information by understanding assets, adversaries, and risks.
These resources are now available in Albanian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Hungarian, and Romanian.
Localization Lab and Internews are proud of the collaborative effort that went into these localization initiatives. We encourage you to explore these resources, share them within your networks, and use them to enhance the digital security of journalists and media professionals worldwide.