There's a spy in the newsroom: Press freedom and digital surveillance

Journalists have always been spied on by authoritarian governments and intelligence agencies. Over the past ten years, digital technologies have only amplified and made this phenomenon more insidious.

However, without free and independent journalism, democracy itself is weakened: access to reliable, diverse, and quality information is no longer guaranteed, thereby limiting citizens’ ability to be properly informed, to debate freely, and to fully participate in public life—holding those in power accountable for their actions.

On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the Institute of media and journalism, directed by Prof. Colin Porlezza, organizes a public event to reflect on crucial issues:
How is digital surveillance changing with artificial intelligence? What strategies are newsrooms adopting to protect their work? What legal protections exist, and what is the role of institutions and governments?

Speakers:

Carola Freddiani, internationally recognized expert on surveillance and cybercrime, curator of the website and newsletter Guerre di Rete. She currently works in the infosec team at Human Rights Watch.

Philip Di Salvo, researcher and lecturer at the University of St. Gallen, expert on journalism, surveillance, and hacking. As a journalist, he writes about the social impact of technology for various outlets and co-organizes the DIG Festival.

Moderator: Anna Bernasconi, RSI journalist.

Event organized by IMeG (coordinated by Dr. Laura Amigo) in collaboration with Amnesty International, Associazione Ticinese dei Giornalisti, Corso di Giornalismo della Svizzera italiana, Fondazione Diritti Umani, Progetto Diacomet, Reporter Senza Frontiere Svizzera, Syndicom. Media partner: RSI.