Pre-assignment considerations and recommendations
- Safety Manuals and Guides
- Planning
- Training
- Insurance
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Medical Preparedness
- Trauma Preparedness
- Digital Preparedness
Safety Manuals and Guides
Information on journalist safety and other related pre-assignment material:
Safety Manuals and Guides for Journalists
- CPJ: Journalist Security Guide
- CPJ: The Best Defense: Threats to journalists’ safety demand fresh approach (2017)
- Front Line Defenders: Workbook on Security: Practical Steps for Human Rights Defenders at Risk (2016)
- Front Line Defenders: Protection Handbook for Human Rights Defenders (2016)
- Institute of War & Peace Reporting: Reporting for Change: A Handbook for Local Journalists in Crisis Areas (2004)
- International Federation of Journalists: A Survival Guide for Journalists (2003)
- International Media Support: Taking Action to Protect Journalists (2012)
- James W. Foley Foundation: Journalist Safety Guide
- Reporters Without Borders: Guidelines and Advice (Multiple)
- For first aid and medical safety, see Medical Preparedness and First Aid Videos
- For preparing for, preventing, and dealing with online harassent, see PEN Online Harassment Field Manual
- For digital safety, see Digital Safety Preparedness
Training
Assess any risks associated with an upcoming assignment and arrange the necessary training.
Information on training and organizations that offer courses.
Available courses
- Rory Peck Trust: Types of Safety Training
- Training from partners and fellow members of the Journalists in Distress (JID) Network:
Hostile environment, first-aid training, and others:
- International Media Support
- International News Safety Institute
- International Women’s Media Foundation
- IREX
Free first-aid training for freelancers:
Training funds
- Rory Peck Trust: Training Fund
- Hostile Environment and First Aid Training (HEFAT) and other training providers. CPJ has not vetted each training program and does not recommend one provider or course over another.
- 1st Option Safety Group
- AKE International
- Blue Mountain Group
- Global Journalist Security
- Objective Travel Safety
- Remote Trauma
- Pilgrims Group
- Pangolin Group
- SEPAR International
Organizations that want to be considered for inclusion on the list should fill out this form.
Planning
Resources for developing plans and procedures for assignments.
Risk Assessments
- CPJ: Risk Assessment Form (available in multiple languages)
- Rory Peck Trust: Risk Assessment
- Rory Peck Trust: Security Assessment Form
- Front Line Defenders: Risk Analysis and Protection Training
- CPJ: Digital Safety Preparedness
Communications Plans
- Rory Peck Trust: Creating Your Communications Plan
- Proof of Life documents
- Rory Peck Trust: Putting together a proof of life document
Checklists
- ACOS Alliance: Assignment Safety Checklist
- CPJ: Personal Gear Checklist
- Safety Advisories
- CPJ: Safety Advisories
- International News Safety Institute: Safety Advisories
Insurance
Guidance on choosing and purchasing insurance for specific assignments:
Details on insurance coverage:
- Rory Peck Trust: Types of Cover
- List of insurance providers. Organizations are listed in alphabetical order. CPJ has not vetted each policy individually and does not recommend one insurance provider or policy over another.
- Bellwood Prestbury
- Ellis Clowes
- Insurance for Journalists (Available online)
- Media Insurance Brokers
- Reporters Without Borders (RSF) (Available online) (Available to European nationals but not U.S.-based reporters, Brazilians residing in Brazil or Canadians in Canada)
- Voyager Insurance Services (Available online)
Providers who would like to be considered for inclusion on the list should contact CPJ via email at emergencies@cpj.org.
Related resources on insurance:
- Rory Peck Trust: Insurance Providers for Freelancers
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Information on selecting PPE that meets the risks and needs of specific assignments. Journalists should check in advance for country-specific border restrictions on PPE.
About PPE
- CPJ: A Guide to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (available in English and Español)
- International News Safety Institute (INSI): Wearing Ballistic Vests
- International Federation of Journalists (IFJ): Proper Protection
- Justice Technology Information Center (JTIC): National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Threat Level Standards
- SafeGuard Armor: Choosing the Right Type of Body Armor
- SafeGuard Armor: Body Armor Protection Levels
- NGOs that provide PPE to journalists:
- RSF: Borrowing Bulletproof Vests and Helmets
- International Media Support
Each country has its own regulations on PPE and journalists should research each relevant country regulation before traveling.
Medical Preparedness
Ensure that preventative medicine needs are met before leaving on assignment.
Advice on vaccinations for country-specific assignments:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Travelers’ Health
- World Health Organization (WHO): International Travel and Health
Medical kit recommendations:
- CPJ: First-aid Kits
- World Health Organization (WHO): Medical Kit and Toilet Items
Related medical preparedness resources:
- American Red Cross: First Aid App
- American Red Cross: First Aid / CPR / AED (2016)
- American Red Cross: Wilderness and Remote First Aid Emergency Reference Guide (2014)
Trauma Preparedness
Resources for information on dealing with trauma and sexual violence or harassment.
General trauma preparedness resources
- Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma
- Poynter: Journalism and Trauma
- Front Line Defenders: Resources for Wellbeing & Stress Management
Sexual violence and harassment
- International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF): Recommendations
- CPJ: The silencing crime: Sexual violence and journalists
Digital Preparedness
General information on digital safety and best practice.
Digital safety resources from partners and fellow members of the Journalists in Distress (JID) Network:
Digital security risk assessment:
- CPJ Digital Preparedness
- Rory Peck Trust: A Digital Security Risk Assessment
- Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE): Securing Your Digital Life
- Free Press Unlimited: NetAidKit: first aid for a safe internet
- Front Line Defenders and Security in a Box: Digital Security Tools and Tactics
- Reporters Without Borders: Online Survival Kit
- Rory Peck Trust: Digital Security
- Rory Peck Trust: Useful Guides and Resources
For preventative digital security training:
- IREX: SAFE Initiative
- Other organizations that provide digital safety resources
- Internews: SAFETAG
Related digital safety resources
- Andrew Case: HowTo: Privacy & Security Conscious Browsing
- Chayn Projects: Do It Yourself Online Safety
- Crash Override Network: Resource Center
- Electronic Frontier Foundation: Surveillance Self-Defense
- Filippo.io: Securing a Travel iPhone
- Freedom of the Press Foundation: Guides & Training
- Geek Feminism Wiki: Mitigating Internet Trollstorms
- Gendersec Wiki’s manual: Zen And the Art of Making Tech Work for You
- Hack*Blossom: A DIY Guide to Feminist Cybersecurity
- Ononymous
- Project Shield: Protecting News from Digital Attacks (DDos)
- Tactical Tech: Me and My Shadowproject
- Tow Center for Digital Journalism and Knight Foundation: Digital Security and Source Protection for Journalists