Press freedom: Free privacy and security for journos, courtesy of F-Secure

By Digital News Asia May 4, 2016

Free VPN subscriptions to help fight global deterioration of free press
Freedom of the press in global decline, dropped by 13.6% since 2013

Press freedom: Free privacy and security for journos, courtesy of F-Secure

WITH World Press Freedom Day having fallen on May 3, Finnish cybersecurity company F-Secure is taking steps to help journalists safeguard their right to free speech by offering them free VPN (virtual private network) subscriptions.

World Press Freedom Day highlights the importance of free speech as a basic human right. Having free speech lets journalists investigate problems happening all over the globe, often at the expense of their own privacy or even personal safety, F-Secure said in a statement.

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According to Reporters without Borders’ 2016 World Press Freedom Index, Finland has the freest media in the world, making it fitting that this year’s World Press Freedom Day event was held in the Finnish capital of Helsinki.

However, the report also noted that overall freedom of the press is in global decline, having dropped by 13.6% since 2013.

Press freedom: Free privacy and security for journos, courtesy of F-Secure “Free speech is something nurtured by some governments, but many see it as a threat when mobilised in an institution like the media,” said F-Secure cyber security advisor Erka Koivunen (pic).

“And even though technology has given governments unprecedented surveillance capabilities, it’s also given people ways to protect themselves.

“Encryption is probably the best tool available to journalists if they want to conduct investigatory work without suffering reprisals from oppressive governments and institutions,” he added.

Journalists can use VPNs such as F-Secure Freedome to encrypt their communications, change their virtual location, and block malicious websites and online tracking attempts, the company said.

And to help make using encryption more accessible for journalists, F-Secure is offering free 12-month subscriptions for Freedome to journalists.

Journalists interested in receiving their free Freedome VPN subscription should send confirmation (for example, an image) of their valid press credentials to F-Secure’s Twitter account (@FSecure) using a direct message before May 15.

Eligible journalists will receive a free three-device, 12-month subscription to Freedome.

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