Improve Journalism and Account Security with These Applications

By Micheal Kordvani.
Thanks to the growth of smartphone technology and applications it has never been easier to document your thoughts, ideas and stories. App stores are brimming with high-quality apps that are designed specifically for journalists and writers to take advantage of. These tools can vary from text editors to encrypted e-mail apps.

The downside to how advanced our handheld devices are becoming however is that almost all of our private data is stored on them. Every account you log into and every sensitive piece of information could be at risk of being hacked into or leaked. To counter this developers are integrating security features within their apps to help ensure your data is safely stored.

Another way of protecting your accounts is by adopting 2FA or two factor authentication as it’s commonly known. This extra security measure is probably something you’ve seen before. It’s a method of requiring an additional code or pin to be able to log into your accounts. This is usually sent via a text message. The benefit is that even if your password is compromised your account is still protected.

So without further ado; let’s dive into some of the best apps to help aid journalists with their jobs.

AudioNote

AudioNote is a great tool if you are interviewing somebody, in a lecture or taking part in a meeting of some sort. Rather than having to scribble down tons of messy notes across multiple different pages, AudioNote lets you record a meeting and synchronize notes as you go. It’s an easy platform to input your own notes that tie themselves to the audio it is recording. This means that if a few days later you are looking for a specific note; you can easily navigate through the app to find the exact time you are looking for. You can buy it on both Android and iOS.

Evernote

No list would be complete without Evernote slipped in somewhere. This application is the perfect tool for organizing all of your notes, lists, audio files, videos and everything else in-between. You can also annotate documents, plan events, take screen clippings of websites and highlight key po

ints and have everything stored securely in the cloud. It’s also completely free and is available on both Android and iOS.

LastPass

LastPass Password Manager is an essential tool for journalists and practically anybody else who has their personal information stored on their device. It allows you to input and lock all of your passwords away into a virtual vault. Only you will be able to access this vault so all of your accounts will be safely locked away. You can set it to autofill web browsers, input your own audio notes and generate strong passwords instantly. Get it here for Android & iOS.

LastPass Authenticator

This app can either accompany LassPass Password Manager or as a standalone app for your own security needs. It integrates two factor authentication for your LastPass account as well as any account which features the 2FA service. It also fully supports any service or app which supports Google Authenticator. If you want to add an extra layer of security to your device, data and accounts then this is the app to use and it’s available for Android and iOS.

Combining all of the above apps will not only give you greater levels of security and safety but you’ll also be able to improve your productivity tremendously. And although they are aimed at journalists or writers they’ll also be useful for anybody who wants to record notes and organize different pieces of information, as well as keep all of your passwords secure and your accounts protected.

Two factor authentication is an essential way to protect yourself and while it isn’t available for every single service or app that exists; it’s only growing in demand and popularity due to the benefits available.

Michael Kordvani is a guest writer on SANJU blog, He is Chief Editor and Head of SEO for Fueled, New Yorks top ranked app development agency. He writes about exciting new technologies especially those beneficial to journalism 

Periodistas de a Pie offers elections coverage Training [Mexico]

Any interested journalist can register for this training.

Periodistas de a Pie organizes the workshop "Cobertura electoral en tiempos de crisis" (Election coverage in times of crisis) on Nov. 17 and 18 in Mexico City.

Participants will explore the genealogy of the Mexican political class, the role of journalists during electoral times and the possible angles to produce quality reporting during political campaigns.

The instructor will be journalist Ernesto Núñez.

The deadline is Nov. 15. Registration costs MXN1,800.

For more information (in Spanish),clickhere.

CIVIS Media Foundation accepting submissions for integration, diversity [Europe]

Journalists in the European Union and Switzerland can enter a contest on migration, integration and diversity.

The CIVIS Media Foundation is accepting submissions for the CIVIS Media Prize in five categories: European Television Prize; European Young Media Prize; European Online Media Prize; European Young Media Prize; and Special Prize Sport: Football + Integration.

Works must promote the peaceful coexistence of people of different national, ethnic, religious or cultural backgrounds.

Winners will receive cash prizes.

The deadline to apply is Jan. 20, 2018.

For more information, click here.

Journalism Competition seeks entries [MENA]

Arab journalists, media innovators and entrepreneurs can enter this contest to win cash prizes.

The MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab is inviting media entrepreneurs to submit their creative and pioneering ideas to its startup competition.

The competition consists of three tracks: ideas track, startups track and social entrepreneurship track.

The total cash prize is US$160,000. Winners also receive training, mentorship, coaching, media exposure and networking opportunities.

The deadline is Nov. 27.

For more information, click here. 

Writing competition open for Journalists [US]

Print and online journalists in the United States can apply for an award.

Ball State University’s Department of Journalism organizes the Eugene S. Pulliam National Journalism Writing Award, a national contest for outstanding achievements in journalism, including investigative reporting with compelling writing skills.

Works must have been published in 2017. There is no restriction as to the nature of the article's content or type of reporting.

The winner receives an expense-paid trip to Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, in April to receive the award at a luncheon, meet with students and present talks on the winning article.

The postmark deadline is Jan. 5, 2018.

For more information, click here.

CFPD offers Online website building course for journalists [Latin America]

Journalists, entrepreneurs, designers and others can register for this online course in Spanish.

The Center for Digital Journalism (CFPD, in Spanish) at the University of Guadalajara organizes a course in website building Jan. 17 to Feb. 21, 2018.

Instructor Fidel Romero will teach participants the steps for creating and maintaining a journalism website, using basic design tools and processes, including open access content managers.

The registration deadline is Jan. 3, 2018. The cost is MXN1,600 for participants based in Mexico and US$90 for those outside Mexico.

For more information (in Spanish), click here.

Film festival accepting entries [Worldwide]

Filmmakers worldwide can participate in this festival.

The Festival of Migrant Film, organized by the Slovenian Philanthropy, is accepting entries. The festival will take place June 2018 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

The festival will accept both documentary and feature films that highlight diverse topics related to immigration, asylum/refugees and integration of migrants into multicultural societies.

Films may be in any language, but if the film is not in Slovene or English, it must include subtitles.

The deadline is Dec. 31.

For more information, click here.

Hearst offers journalism fellowships [Worldwide]

Budding journalists can apply for this fellowship.

The Hearst Fellowship is a two-year program focusing on multimedia journalism. Fellows take part in two 12-month rotations at its top metro papers. They write stories, shoot and produce their own videos, blog and use social media to raise awareness of their work.

Candidates should be college graduates or others with interest, experience or background in journalism or related fields. Those selected will have hands-on experience and access to leaders in the field. 

Foreign nationals may apply, but the program does not sponsor visas.

The deadline is Jan. 12, 2018.

For more information, click here.

Human rights reporting Competition Open [Brazil]

Journalists and students who cover human rights issues can enter this competition.

The Justice and Human Rights Movement and the Order of Lawyers of Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul sectional, with the support of the Association of Graphic and Cinematographic Reporters of Rio Grande do Sul (ARFOC-RS, in Portuguese), are organizing the 34th annual Human Rights Journalism Prize in Brazil.

The aim of the competition is to encourage the work of professional journalists reporting on violations and monitoring human rights. This year's theme is "Human rights and the fight against all forms of violence."

Works must have been published between Nov. 16, 2016 and Nov. 15, 2017. Categories include: news reporting, book, documentary, column, academic writing, photography, radio, online journalism and special award. Winners will receive trophies and diplomas.

The deadline is Nov. 20. Apply by mail or in person at ARFOC-RS.

For more information (in Portuguese), click here.

Liberty Radio Awards seeks entries [South Africa]

Radio journalists from South Africa can enter a competition.

The Liberty Radio Awards, sponsored by the Liberty Group, highlight the best of national and community radio talent in South Africa. The awards feature dozens of categories for both presenters and stations.

Entries must have been aired in 2017 on campus, community and commercial radio stations. Podcasts and internet-only radio shows are also eligible. 

The winners will be recognized at the Liberty Radio Awards Ceremony.

The deadline is Jan. 31, 2018.

For more information, click here.

Journalism School offers Photography Fellowship [Worldwide]

Early-career photojournalists and documentarians can apply for this program in New York.

The Magnum Foundation, in partnership with CUNY’s Graduate School of Journalism, organizes the Photography and Social Justice Fellowship.

The program builds capacity and community among a diverse, international network of fellows who have not had access to mentorship or training in photography but can demonstrate a commitment to activism and social justice. 

Fellows will attend weekly online meetings in April and May, followed by two workshops in New York - one in the summer and one the following winter - at CUNY’s Graduate School of Journalism. 

Over the course of six months, fellows will also produce a body of work that aims to advance social justice in their communities under the mentorship from Magnum Foundation’s network.

The deadline is Nov. 30.

For more information, click here.

Poynter seeks application for poverty reporting workshop [US]

Reporters, especially general assignment reporters, can apply for this free training.

The Poynter Institute is organizing the workshop "Growing up poor: covering children of color living in poverty" Jan. 18 and 19, 2018 at Poynter’s campus in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The workshop will offer fresh approaches to giving voice to the voiceless in the community. Participants will learn new skills, data tools and resources, as well as network with colleagues.

Special consideration will be given to journalists from smaller media outlets and those with a minority audience. 

The deadline is Nov. 17. Travel stipends are available.

For more information, click here.

Thomson Reuters seeks applications for Development Training Workshop[Lebanon]

Journalists with less than five years of experience and midcareer journalists who have not yet covered sustainability and migration are eligible for this free training.

The Thomson Reuters Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, is organizing a workshop as part of its program on reporting sustainable development.

The workshop will take place Dec. 14 and 15 in Beirut.

Participants will receive information, tools and strategies to understand the complex issues surrounding the United Nations sustainable development goals, especially in the context of migration.

Travel and accommodations will be not be covered.

The deadline is Dec. 8.

For more information, click here.

Internews: Vacancy available for Deputy Director [Kyrgyzstan]

Journalists with a strong knowledge of English and Russian can apply for this position in Bishkek.

The representative office of Internews Network in the Kyrgyz Republic is looking for a deputy director for a new three-year project.

Responsibilities include overseeing all project's activities, serving as the lead advisor/trainer for local media on issues of content quality and editorial policy, and more.

The ideal candidate will have at least five years of experience in media, newsroom management, TV or online news production in Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia or Eurasia. Knowledge of Kyrgyz is an asset.

The deadline is Nov. 15.

For more information, click here.

Deadline Approaching :Uniting4Climate competition accepting pitches [Worldwide]

Anyone can submit a video pitch to this competition.

Connect4Climate seeks proposals for the production of a virtual reality/360° video on how countries, cities, regions, businesses, civil society and individuals are "Uniting for climate action."

Possible topics include solutions to overcoming climate threats for vulnerable and coastal communities, supporting ocean and environmental protection, addressing rising and warming oceans, managing freshwater resources, preventing pollution and waste, building smarter and more resilient cities or making the linkages with other climate actions.

The winner will work with Connect4Climate and their partners to transform their concept into a 360° video.

The deadline is Nov. 18.

For more information, click here.

Emma Bowen Foundation offers Media fellowship [US]

African-American, Asian-American, Latino and Native American students can apply for a media fellowship.

The Emma Bowen Foundation offers a fellowship to give students of color the opportunity to succeed in the media industry.

Fellows are placed in multiyear paid internships at some of the nation’s leading companies nationwide. The majority of fellows work in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami or the San Francisco Bay Area.

Candidates must be graduating high school seniors or college students, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0, be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and speak and write English fluently.

The priority deadline is Dec. 1. 

For more information, click here.

Registration for Data journalism Conference Ongoing [Brazil]

Journalists, researchers, data scientists and students are invited to this event.

The Brazilian chapter of School of Data, in partnership with Google News Lab, organizes Coda.Br, a data journalism and digital methods conference, Nov. 25 and 26 in São Paulo.

The conference will feature more than 30 workshops led by experts in data journalism tools as well as panels with journalists and international researchers on topics such as algorithmic responsibility, machine learning, privacy and the future of data journalism.

The list of speakers include Jonathan Stray, computational journalist at Columbia University; Mar Cabra, who led the Data and Research Unit of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) during the 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning Panama Papers investigation; Momi Peralta, head of the award-winning data journalism team at La Nación Argentina; and Jennifer Stark, former computational journalist at University of Maryland; and more. 

Registration is open, but spots are limited. The cost ranges from BRL180 to BRL325. 

For more information, click here.