Three Experienced Maltese Journalists Open Investigative News Website by Tim Diacono.
From the post:
…
“The vile execution of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia is a wakeup call for civic action, to stop the greed and the rot and to assert the power of the pen over the might of criminals who want us to remain silent as they pile up their profits,” the journalists wrote in their first editorial. “It was nothing short of a declaration of war on our serenity and freedom to stand up to be counted.”“We have come together to create The Shift months ago thinking that there could not have been a better time for a nonpartisan voice with a clear agenda for good governance, which speaks its truth to power respectfully but firmly, keeping a distance from economic and partisan agendas. We never could have anticipated that our country would descend into this nightmare,” they added.
…
“We have decided to take the plunge now because we also want to contribute to the civic awakening which followed the brutal elimination of a journalist who spoke her truths to power. We do not seek to step in Daphne Caruana Galizia’s shoes and our style and approach is very different. But we promise to honour the best part of her legacy, that of being a thorn in the side… of whoever is in power.”
…
To the extent The Shift can be “…a thorn in the side… of whoever is in power,” I’m all for it.
On the other hand, the organizers of The Shift should consider working with an umbrella organization that provides basic security.
The Shift organizers should retain their independence but among the more glaring flaws of their current site:
- http:// instead of https://
- No PGP key for encrypted email
- No secure drop box for leaks
- No advice on secure contacts
- Contact form requires name and email?
- … others I’m sure…
The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) maintains a great list of Digital Security resources.
Even if someone else in your organization is tasked with digital security, have a nodding acquaintance with the GIJN resources and revisit them on a regular basis.
Don’t be a passive consumer of security services.
Passive consumers of security services are also known as “victims.”