Taking advantage of World Press Freedom Day (Tuesday 3 May), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has issued a warning that cyber espionage of journalists must be combated. freedom of the press.
In recent years, the world has seen a staggering increase in reports of government spying on journalists, revealing the breadth and scope of software use aimed at combating organized crime against the press and independent journalists.
For the IFJ, the lack of regulation and control over the use of ‘spyware’ systems is one of the reasons that allows them to be used by governments and agents interested in closely monitoring the work of media professionals, with the obvious purpose of stopping their spread. information to the community.
Spyware is one of the threats to press freedom
Reports of espionage by journalists in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America worry the IFJ because, according to the entity, they are often carried out by governments or officials affiliated with them.
Digital espionage is done using spyware, which are computer programs originally designed to combat crime and terrorism. AND
But the federation says these software allow malicious use against journalists, politicians, human rights defenders and civil society leaders.
“When it comes to journalists and media professionals, spyware is widely used to spy on journalists’ work devices.”
Journalists and media workers are being watched digitally without realizing it.
Spyware engines install on computers or mobile phones when a seemingly innocent link is clicked, at which point the device is infected and allows attackers full access to passwords, accounts, searches, emails and even encrypted communications.
Some of these spyware can record video, audio and read messages without users knowing or noticing that anything is happening.
The IFJ warns that once journalists have full access to their main tools, governments can “discover sources, undermine research, intimidate media workers, and in some cases, stop their reporting.”
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Entity says reports of espionage are proliferating around the world
According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), media outlets and international organizations have reported several cases of espionage against media professionals in recent months.
In July 2021, for example, the Forbidden Stories project revealed that 180 journalists’ smartphones were infected with worldwide Pegasus spyware, a tool developed by Israeli cyber surveillance company NSO.
The software has infected mobile phones to allow vehicle operators to retrieve messages, photos and emails, as well as record calls and secretly activate microphones.
The tool is used by governments, and the espionage survey shows people to be targeted in Saudi Arabia, India, Hungary, the United Arab Emirates and Morocco, among others.
Roula Khalaf, editor of the Financial Times (FT), was one of the hacked journalists.brought out the newspaper Guard.
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But it wasn’t just them. An investigation conducted in El Salvador Citizen Lab It has been proven that Pegasus also spied on at least 31 media professionals between June 2020 and November 2021.
Most of the journalists (22) worked for the digital newspaper El FaroHe highlights the IJF as an important tool for President Nayib Bukele.
The same organization claimed that Greek journalist Thanasis Koukakis was spied on by new surveillance software called Predator for at least three months between July 12 and September 24, 2021.
Another investigation recently reported by the Federation uncovered allegations of espionage against Catalan journalists in Spain.
In Jordan, the smartphone of freelance journalist Suhair Jaradat was hacked with Pegasus spyware between August 2019 and December 2021.
“These are just a few of the confirmed cases; the actual number of espionage may be higher,” says the entity.
IJF says laws must stop threats to press freedom
These reports form the basis of the IFJ’s call for legislation to prevent spying on journalists around the world and to ensure press freedom is protected.
Younes Mjahed, the head of the federation, emphasizes that surveillance does not provide security to journalists, on the contrary, it should not:
“Every day a new case of journalist espionage emerges. This
Digital espionage against journalists is on the rise and global and national action is urgently needed to stop it.”
In light of this, the IFJ urges journalists to redouble efforts to protect their own data, their personal devices, and that of media outlets.
Companies should also promote digital security training for media professionals.
The agency stresses that governments should regulate the immunity of journalists’ communications, both by creating and enforcing laws.
“The international community [precisa] Build a regulatory regime that allows inspection and regulation of all organizations that supply products capable of undermining the fundamental rights and freedoms of journalists”, urges the federation.
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source: Noticias
