During elections, journalists frequently cover rallies, campaign events, and protests, which can increase their risk of being attacked, harassed, and detained.
Journalists covering elections can also find themselves targeted digitally, subject to online abuse and intimidation.
CPJ has created a series of resources intended to help journalists better prepare for election-related assignments, or to cope with any resulting safety concerns or harassment.
The most important thing you can do is take preemptive steps to protect yourself physically, digitally and psychologically.
Journalists requiring assistance can contact CPJ via emergencies@cpj.org. Visit the CPJ Emergencies page for more information and safety resources for journalists.
CPJ resources for journalists covering elections
CPJ Emergencies has compiled a general Election Safety Kit with information for editors, reporters, and photojournalists on the basics of how to prepare for elections and how to mitigate digital, physical,and psychological and digital risk.
The kit includes information on a range of topics including working in hostile communities, preparing for a communications blackout, and managing trauma, trauma-related stress and PTSD.
Covering elections: Journalist safety kit
Available in: हिन्दी | Português | فارسی | Հայերեն | Français | Español
- Editor’s Safety Checklist
- Risk Assessment
- Physical Safety: Covering political rallies and protests
- Physical Safety: Working in hostile communities
- Physical Safety: Working in areas affected by crime
- Psychological Safety: Managing trauma, trauma-related stress and PTSD
- Digital Safety: Preparing your devices for political rallies
- Digital Safety: Securing and storing materials
- Digital Safety: Preparing for a communications blackout
- Digital Safety: Online abuse and misinformation campaigns
- COVID-19: General safety considerations
Risk Assessment
Available in: Français | Español | Português | ဗမာစာ | Русский | Українська | العربية | 中文
Physical and Digital Safety: Protecting confidential sources
Available in: Français | العربية | Español | Русский | Português | فارس | සිංහල | தமிழ் | فارسی
Physical and Digital Safety: Arrest and detention
Available in: Français | العربية | Русский | Español | 中文 (简体) | Afsoomaali | አማርኛ | ဗမာစာ | Português | Українська | فارسی | پښتو සිංහල | தமிழ்
Physical Safety: Covering protests and civil unrest
Available in: Français | Español | Русский | Português | 中文 (简体) | हिन्दी | ਪੰਜਾਬੀ | فارسی | ဗမာစာ | العربية | Українська | සිංහල | தமிழ் |اردو | Hebrew | বাংলা
Digital Safety: DIY Guides for better protecting against online abuse
Available in: Français | Español | Português | Українська | Русский | العربية | پښتو
Psychological safety: Online harassment and how to protect your mental health
Available in: Español | Français | Português | پښتو | Українська
COVID-19: General safety guidance
Available in: العربية | Français | Русский | Español | Português
Editor’s Safety Checklist: Protecting staff and freelancers against online abuse
Upcoming elections
Bangladesh – January 2024
CPJ Emergencies can also provide digital security workshops and individual consultations. If you would like to speak with someone about a workshop, about online harassment or your digital safety, please email emergencies@cpj.org.