Journalist Safety: Elections

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.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron addresses media during a campaign visit in Mulhouse, eastern France, on April 12, 2022. (AFP/Ludovic Marin)

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: हिन्दीPortuguêsفارسیՀայերենFrançais | Español

Risk Assessment

Available in: FrançaisEspañolPortuguêsဗမာစာ | Русский | Українська | العربية | 中文

Physical and Digital Safety: Protecting confidential sources

Available in: FrançaisالعربيةEspañolРусскийPortuguêsفارسසිංහල | தமிழ் | فارسی

Physical and Digital Safety: Arrest and detention

Available in: FrançaisالعربيةРусскийEspañol中文 (简体)AfsoomaaliአማርኛဗမာစာPortuguêsУкраїнськаفارسیپښتو සිංහලதமிழ்

Physical Safety: Covering protests and civil unrest

Available in: FrançaisEspañolРусскийPortuguês中文 (简体)हिन्दीਪੰਜਾਬੀفارسیဗမာစာالعربيةУкраїнськаසිංහල | தமிழ் |اردوHebrewবাংলা

Digital Safety: DIY Guides for better protecting against online abuse

Available in: FrançaisEspañolPortuguêsУкраїнська | Русскийالعربيةپښتو

Psychological safety: Online harassment and how to protect your mental health

Available in: EspañolFrançaisPortuguêsپښتوУкраїнська

COVID-19: General safety guidance

Available in: العربية | FrançaisРусскийEspañolPortuguês

Editor’s Safety Checklist: Protecting staff and freelancers against online abuse 

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.