Safety of journalists

Press freedom and the space for independent media are under threat, as stipulated in various UN resolutions addressing journalist safety. UN Sectary-General Guterres stated that ‘civic space has been shrinking worldwide at an alarming rate. And with anti-media rhetoric on the rise, so too are violence and harassment against journalists, including women … When media workers are targeted, societies as a whole pay a price.’  Governments practise legal intimidation and censorship of dissenting voices, also in the digital space. Criminal gangs threaten those who report on corruption. The result is that journalists exercise self-censorship, leave the profession, disappear into exile or stay silent. This is a deliberate attack on civic space that requires a cross-cutting approach to safety of journalists.

This Safety Resource Space is the place to find information on the safety of journalists. It includes information on Free Press Unlimited’s safety-related activities, background information on the safety of journalists, practical resources, and best practices and examples of successful projects and approaches.

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Credit: Free Press Unlimited/Joris Bulckens

Introduction to safety

Free Press Unlimited believes that a safe work environment is a basic need for independent media. It is imperative that journalists carry out their work free from violence and free from obstruction. A commitment to safety cuts across all of Free Press Unlimited’s activities.

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Credit: Marloes van 't Pad Bosch

Dimensions of safety

Free Press Unlimited believes that safety should be approached as a comprehensive concept that has physical, psycho-social, digital and legal dimensions. As these dimensions of safety impact on each other, it is important to adopt an inclusive approach, that also takes gender into account.

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Credit: Free Press Unlimited/Joris Bulckens

Four pillars of safety

Free Press Unlimited directs its efforts to address safety along four different pillars, being support to journalists in distress, capacity development, tools and resources, and advocacy and campaigning.

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Credit: Romy van den Boogaart

International instruments

Free Press Unlimited’s work on the safety of journalists builds upon a number of key international instruments, which reflect international commitments to further the safety of journalists.

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Credit: Sandro Weltin

Networks and coalitions

Free Press Unlimited works together with other like-minded organisations in a number of international networks and coalitions in order to contribute towards journalist safety, both locally and internationally.

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Evidence base: Safety of journalists

Found 87 Results | Page 3 of 8
Source Year Country Organisation Author
Wanted! Real Action for Media Freedom in Europe 2021 Europe Council of Europe Platform to Promote the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists Council of Europe Platform to Promote the Protection of Journalism and Safety of Journalists
Threats that Silence: Trends in the Safety of Journalists 2021 Global UNESCO Chorbacher, T. et al.
Murders, Physical Assaults & Online Harassment: Silencing Journalism in Somalia. Somalia Annual Press Freedom Report 2020 – 2021 2021 Somalia Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ) Federation of Somali Journalists (FESOJ)
Sexual Harassment in the Media 2021 Africa WAN-IFRA Ireton, C.
Safe. Strong. Viable. The Symbosis Between Media Safety and Media Viability 2021 Burkina Faso, Lebanon, Mexico, Philippines Deutsche Welle Akademie Aldenrath, P. et al.
Investigating the killing of journalist Regina Martínez Pérez 2021 Mexico Free Press Unlimited A Safer World For The Truth
Investigating the killing of journalist Zubair Mujahid 2021 Pakistan Free Press Unlimited A Safer World For The Truth
Journalists’ Experience and Views on Judicial Transparency in North Macedonia 2021 North Macedonia Association of Journalists of Macedonia Pashoski, D.
Safety of Journalists and the Fighting of Corruption in the EU 2020 Denmark, Europe, Hungary, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden Institute for Information Law (IViR), University of Amsterdam McGonagle, T. et al.
States of Control: COVID, Cuts and Impunity: South Asia Press Freedom Report 2019-2020 2020 Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
Balancing Act: Countering Digital Disinformation While Respecting Freedom of Expression 2020 Global Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development Bontcheva, K. & Posetti, J. (eds.)
COVID-19 News Organisations Safety Protocols: Working with Freelancers 2020 Global ACOS Alliance ACOS Alliance