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AfriLeaks – the investigative platform you need to know

The secure web service will allow individuals to send information “without fear of being compromised and exposed”. Find out which African media houses partnered with afriLeaks

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African media houses practicing investigative journalism might want to link up with afriLeaks, which launched on January 13, to allow important information that is of public interest to get the people.

Both the whistleblower and the investigative journalist are exposed to considerable risks when they take on certain stories, which makes coaching them about how to safely transmit and use leaked materials crucial. AfriLeaks will fulfil these roles and more.

Khadija Sharife, an investigative journalist based in South Africa, who is part of the afriLeaks team, talks about their desire to provide technical training to investigative journalists on how to “pursue the safest means of transmitting information”, and how to “verify and investigate the quality of leaks”.

Afrileaks aims to ensure safe transmission and usage of leaked documents between whistleblowers and journalists                 Source: AFP

Afrileaks aims to ensure safe transmission and usage of leaked documents between whistleblowers and journalists Source: AFP

Afrileaks is in partnership with Italy’s Hermes Centre for Transparency and Digital Human Rights, and the Africa Network of Centres for Investigative Journalism (ANCIR). According to Sharife, the secure web service will allow individuals to send information “without fear of being compromised and exposed.”

South Africa’s Mail & Guardian, Botswana’s Guardian newspaper, the Kenya Television Network (KTN), The Zimbabwean, and Mozambique’s Verdade are some of the African media organisations that have already signed up for the initiative.

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How it works

Journalists will be taught skills by a panel of experts on sourcing, cross-examination, checking for bias, contradiction, consistency, reliability and metadata.

AfriLeaks is not a publisher and only facilitates the process between whistleblower and the media. The individual nominates the media organisation that will receive the leak, and the person has a choice to remain anonymous or be a part of the subsequent investigation.

The AfriLeaks website has a step-by-step guide on how to leak materials.

The poster boy of whistleblowing in the world                Source: AP

Edward Snowden has become the poster boy of whistleblowing in the world Source: AP

In a release announcing the initiative and its involvement, South Africa’s Mail & Guardian explained that “the afriLeaks team has done everything possible to keep whistleblowers’ locations and names anonymous, but advise people to read the information provided on the afriLeaks page under ‘how to leak’ and ‘your safety’”. Adding that, “…We strongly advise against leaking to us from work computers.”

Source: The Guardian

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