By Love Wilhelmina Abanonave
Media organizations have become prime targets for cybercriminals because they hold sensitive information and command high public visibility, an Associate Professor of Wireless Communication Networks has warned.
Prof. Kofi Sarpong Adu-Manu said during a cyber capacity-building training session on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 that journalists and media houses are increasingly under attack because of the critical role they play in shaping public opinion and their access to confidential sources, unpublished stories, and personal data.
“Media is a prime target to the cybercriminals because we hold sensitive information and have public visibility,” Prof. Adu-Manu said. He cautioned media practitioners to adopt a security-first approach to their work, urging them to “pause before you click, verify before you share, and secure before you publish.”
According to Prof. Adu-Manu, journalists must secure their work before, during, and after publication by following the CIA principle of Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. He explained that Confidentiality means protecting sources and unpublished information from unauthorized access. Integrity ensures that news content and data are not altered or manipulated. Availability means systems and platforms must remain accessible and not be taken down by attacks.
The Associate Professor listed several common threats facing media practitioners in Ghana and across the world. He said most cyberattacks against journalists start with simple human errors.
“Most attacks start with opening suspicious messages, clicking unknown links, reusing passwords across platforms, and oversharing personal and work information online,” he stated.
Prof. Adu-Manu said cybercriminals often use phishing emails, fake social media accounts, and malware to gain access to journalists’ devices and accounts. Once inside, he noted, attackers can steal data, impersonate reporters, spread disinformation, or use compromised accounts to target the public.
The expert recommended basic but effective steps for journalists, including using strong and unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, updating software regularly, backing up work, and verifying the identity of sources before sharing sensitive information. He also urged media organizations to invest in cybersecurity training for staff and to put policies in place for handling digital threats.
