In an era where digital threats to journalists are becoming increasingly aggressive and widespread, MediaSafe Africa launches as a vital online resource to help journalists safeguard their work, their sources, and themselves.
Designed for everyone, from seasoned investigative reporters to journalism students, MediaSafe Africa is an essential tool for any journalist navigating today’s digital risks.
At its heart is a video library that translates complex cybersecurity topics into relatable, real-world scenarios. Whether you’re protecting your online presence, encrypting sensitive communications, or shielding your devices from surveillance, the platform equips you with essential knowledge to work more safely and confidently.
It was developed by the Thomson Foundation in partnership with the Legal Aid Forum (LAF) and supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
“MediaSafe Africa was shaped by the experiences and needs of working journalists,” says Meriem Bahri, Middle East & Africa Programme Manager, Thomson Foundation. “It reflects the challenges they face every day and offers practical, context-driven solutions to stay safer online.”
The platform at a glance
Video 3: Your Device, Your Shield: Practical Cybersecurity for Field Journalists
Videos are live and free to access
How It All Came Together: Training Meets Technology
MediaSafe Africa was born out of a broader, ambitious initiative aimed at strengthening journalism in Rwanda. Between June 2024 and March 2025, the Thomson Foundation led a capacity-building activity under the FCDO-funded project Supporting the Media Sector Reforms in Rwanda. This initiative paired investigative journalism training with digital safety support, addressing two core vulnerabilities faced by journalists: editorial preparedness and digital exposure.
The investigative journalism training, delivered by award-winning journalist John-Allan Namu, provided hands-on instruction to 15 mid-career Rwandan journalists. Many were introduced to essential investigative techniques such as hypothesis building, risk planning, and ethical source engagement.
“This cohort was initially hesitant to engage deeply with investigative journalism, but by the end of the programme, they were driving the conversation,” says John-Allan, Lead Trainer. “That transformation is what training should achieve.”
Simultaneously, the digital security support component delivered targeted sessions on encryption, secure communication, password management, and identifying misinformation threats. One-on-one digital clinics helped participants assess and improve their digital hygiene. This direct engagement formed the basis for MediaSafe Rwanda, which has now evolved into the expanded MediaSafe Africa platform.
The Power of an Integrated Approach
What made this initiative truly impactful was the synergy between the editorial and security strands. Journalists were not only developing bold, high-stakes investigative stories but were also equipped with the tools to protect those stories, their data, and their sources. From uncovering corruption in food aid distribution to investigating forced evictions and cross-border trade abuses, participants applied what they learned immediately, producing stories of real consequence.
This integrated model created a resilient, collaborative peer network of ethical, digitally aware journalists and pioneers who are helping to standards of investigative journalism in Rwanda and, increasingly, across borders.
MediaSafe Africa was shaped by the experiences and needs of working journalists
A Platform with Room to Grow
MediaSafe Africa is a living platform designed to evolve with the needs of its users. Upcoming features include:
- Webinars with digital safety experts
- Downloadable cheat sheets and how-to guides
- Interactive community forums and peer-learning spaces
Explore. Learn. Stay Safe
The risks facing journalists today are real, but so are the tools to face them. MediaSafe Africa stands as both a response to immediate threats and a long-term investment in ethical, secure journalism.
Explore the platform, share it with your networks, and become part of a growing movement to protect the integrity and safety of journalism in Africa.
Video 1: Digital Breadcrumbs
Video 2: The Encrypted Journalist
Video 3: Your Device, Your Shield
Video 4: The Invisible Threat
