This week we offer smart ways to alert mobile readers to new stories, and we highlight two encryption tools that can help reporters protect confidential sources.
PART 1: Push alerts and notifications
Push alerts and notifications are becoming a central component of the mobile experience, especially with the emergence of wearable technology. Smart news organizations are harnessing the potential for connecting with audiences on the go. We look at some examples and offer some tips.
Reporting by Daniel Shapiro.
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Apps/tools mentioned in our report:
- Breaking News is available for Android and iOS. It’s also possible to see streams of news alerts via the website.
- Newsy’s app is available on multiple platforms.
- Hooks is available for iOS.
- Roost offers a service for desktop push notifications. More information is available on their website.
- Circa is available for Android and iOS. It’s also possible to read Circa’s coverage on the Web.
- The Economist Espresso is available for both Android and iOS.
- Yahoo News Digest is available for Android and iOS.
PART 2: Cryptocat and Signal
The ubiquity of digital surveillance and the rise of easy-to-use tools give journalists plenty of reasons to use encryption tools when dealing with sources, says Jeff Larson, data editor at ProPublica. He explains two tools — Cryptocat and Signal — that help keep confidential conversations truly private.
Reporting by Raven Brown and Katy Mersmann.
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Information about other useful tools:
The Electronic Frontier Foundation conducted this evaluation of few dozen secure-messaging apps and tools, including free options like CrytoCat, Signal, ChatSecure, Orbot, RedPhone and TextSecure. More information can be found in this article from Computerworld.
GFI software offers a list of free tools for data encryption, a few of which relate specifically to email.
Reuben Stern is the deputy director of the Futures Lab at the Reynolds Journalism Institute and host and co-producer of the weekly Futures Lab video update.
The Reynolds Journalism Institute’s Futures Lab video update features a roundup of fresh ideas, techniques and developments to help spark innovation and change in newsrooms across all media platforms. Visit the RJI website for the full archive of Futures Lab videos, or download the iPad app to watch the show wherever you go. You can also sign up to receive email notification of each new episode.
