Strategies for Internet Technology and Digital Rights Reporting https://zimbabwe.misa.org Strategies and recommendations to improve specialised journalism in digital rights Several challenges deterring specialised journalism in internet, technology and digital rights have been flagged in this paper. Some challenges, like the lack of specialist skills and lack of knowledge appear to have simple solutions e.g training or retraining. Whereas there are other challenges that repel easy solutions including 60 political pressures, economic constraints, and an unsympathetic legal environment, being prevalent in Southern Africa. The following are strategies and recommendations informed by a review of specialised journalism initiatives in the region as well as perspectives shared in a survey conducted with regional journalists on what would be required to promote internet, technology and digital rights reporting. Addressing the knowledge gap in internet and technology reporting Stakeholders such as MISA can play a role in promoting specialised journalism in internet, technology and digital rights reporting by: Developing free resources for journalists in the region • Funding and/or commissioning the development of toolkits and other resources on how to cover internet, technology and digital rights. Such resources can be packaged in PDF, video and audio formats that are compatible with WhatsApp to make them more accessible. To sustain journalists’ interest in using the resources (e.g completing modules) MISA can attach consideration for other opportunities (such as training, workshops, etc) to the completion of such modules. • Partnering with journalism training institutions and universities to develop massive open online courses (MOOCs) on how to cover internet, technology and digital rights. To increase uptake of the free resources, it would be beneficial to engage journalism training institutions to make free resources compulsory components of their curricular or adapting them to their existing offerings as specialisations. Wherever possible, it would be ideal to facilitate some certification or accreditation for MOOCs (and similar resources) to make the taking and completing of such modules more appealing to journalists who will find them useful for future academic or career progression. 60Schiffrin, A., & Behrman, M. (2011). Does training make a difference? Evaluating journalism training programs in Sub- Saharan Africa. Journalism & Mass Communication Educator, 66(4), 340-360. 26