Press freedom and independent media are increasingly under threat. Worldwide, journalists are increasingly harassed, intimidated and attacked for doing their work. Creating a safe work environment is a basic need in order for independent media to exist. It is imperative that journalists can carry out their work, free from violence and free from obstruction.
The ever-increasing violence and impunity for crimes against journalists worldwide have led to the Safety theme becoming one of our main thematic programmes, with its own budget and dedicated team. This team has taken on several crises in the past years, for example the demonstrations in Belarus, the coup in Myanmar, the Taliban taking over in Afghanistan and most recently the Russian invasion of Ukraine, where over 800 Ukrainian journalists have been supported with for example relocation or equipment. All these conflicts caused unsafe conditions for journalists. For example because they were intimidated or threatened to get arrested by the power holders, or because of bombings and fighting.
At Free Press Unlimited we consider safety an all-embracing concept that includes the physical, psycho-social, digital and the legal domains equally. We believe that there are no one-size-fits-all solutions, as the safety challenges vary per context, and therefore the solutions differ as well. Our approach is based on three pillars: Prevention, Protection and Prosecution. At the moment we are working on a fourth pillar: Preparedness.
In preventing and decreasing attacks on journalists, law enforcement plays a big role. When good legislation is in place that protects press freedom and freedom of expression, the tolerance for attacks on journalists will decrease. To accomplish this, advocacy is a very important tool. We actively encourage those responsible to put press freedom higher on the political agenda and to take concrete action.
Free Press Unlimited is part of several networks dedicated to the safety of journalists – both at grassroots and international level – allowing us to provide preventive support to journalists worldwide, swiftly and in a coordinated manner. We have provided inputs to numerous resolutions and declarations passed by international collaborations regarding the safety of media professionals, like the review of the UNESCO Plan of Action for the Safety of Journalists. Besides the judicial part, we also work on prevention by making journalists more resilient for (online) attacks.
For example, we provide free courses about digital safety to journalists worldwide through our platform Totem. Besides this we provide journalists with safety advice, with digital and physical attributes for protection like VPN codes for safe connections or ballistic vests, and when a journalist is in grave danger of being attacked or arrested, we help journalists to relocate to a safer place.
In addition, Free Press Unlimited developed a curriculum for a safety training that is specifically tailored to women journalists. It is a comprehensive safety training that integrates physical, digital, and psycho-social safety elements. You can find more information and the full curriculum here
Of course the ideal is to prevent attacks on journalists. Unfortunately, that is not the reality. Every year we assist hundreds of journalists and media organisations in distress. For this, Free Press Unlimited manages an emergency fund for media workers: Reporters Respond. This international emergency response fund provides direct financial assistance, legal support, and safety advice to journalists and media outlets in distress, enabling them to resume their work as quickly as possible when faced with a crisis situation. This international fund can support journalists and media organisations who are confronted with (online) harassment, intimidation, legal proceedings, or violence because of their work.
Increasingly, Free Press Unlimited's Safety programme provides emergency assistance to journalists and media when they are forced into exile, for example by supporting temporary relocation or protecting them against threats in their country of exile. This ensures that they can continue to provide reliable and verified information about what is happening within the largely closed borders of their countries safely.
We see that the judiciary plays an essential role in achieving safety and protection for journalists. Impunity for crimes against journalists is a huge problem. When a journalist is murdered for doing his or her job, in nine out of ten cases the killer goes free. With A Safer World For The Truth we fight against this impunity. In this project cold cases of murdered journalists are re-opened and investigated. Through these investigations, new facts and information around the killings are revealed, paving the way for pursuing justice.
We are not working on this alone. Together with international partners we verify and discuss cases, coordinate joint efforts and aim to find sustainable solutions where possible.
The Journalists in Distress network is an informal network involving 22 international organisations providing assistance to journalists. Free Press Unlimited currently coordinates the network.
Article 19 | Canadian Journalists for Freedom of Expression (CJFE)| Committee to Protect Journalists | Defend Defenders (EHAHRDP) | English PEN | Euro-Mediterranean Foundation of Support to Human Rights Defenders | European Centre for Press and Media Freedom | Freedom House | Front Line Defenders | ICORN International Cities of Refuge | | International Media Support | Internews | International Women's Media Foundation | IREX Journalist Safety Network | Journalists helping journalists | Marie Colvin Journalists Network | Media Defence | Pen International | Pen America | Rory Peck Trust | Reporters Without Borders | SKeyes Center for Media and Cultural Freedom
The Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) tracks, monitors and reacts to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. This project provides legal and practical support, public advocacy and information to protect journalists and media workers. The project commenced in 2020 and is co-funded by the European Commission.
The consortium consists out of: European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) | ARTICLE19 Europe | the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) | Free Press Unlimited (FPU) | International Press Institute (IPI) | CCI/Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT).
Read more about the MFRR here.
In response to the Russian invasion in Ukraine, Free Press Unlimited organised a crisis meeting on 4 March 2022 in Amsterdam to bring together...
Together with other press freedom organisations, Free Press Unlimited starts the Media Freedom Rapid Response project to support journalists under...
In El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, impartial journalists are often the target of the violence on which they report. For journalists...
Digital surveillance technologies used by governments and criminals are a threat to press freedom and freedom of expression. Free Press Unlimited...
The open source platform Totem offers free interactive courses on digital security to journalists to help them effectively protect themselves against...
The Central African Republic (CAR) has an ongoing history of conflict between different rebel groups and the government. Fragile peace agreements are...