Resources for journalists covering conflict - Committee to Protect Journalists

Journalists work near damaged buildings hit in a military strike, amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in Shevchenkivskyi district in Kyiv, Ukraine March 23, 2022. REUTERS/Serhii Nuzhnenko

Reporting from the front lines of a conflict is one of the most challenging assignments a journalist can undertake. It is important that journalists prepare before an assignment to understand the environment they are entering and the deadly threats they may face.

Journalists covering today’s conflicts may confront specialized weapons, indiscriminate shelling, and damaged crucial infrastructure. Essential personal protective equipment may be difficult to obtain on the ground or to transport across borders. The emotional toll of living in and reporting on a conflict zone may also affect the mental health of journalists.

CPJ has compiled a set of resources intended to help journalists prepare for conflict assignments.

Journalists should complete a risk assessment prior to entering a conflict zone in order to identify potential battlefield hazards and to prepare equipment, training, and emergency procedures.

Safety Resources

Physical Safety: War Reporting

This guide contains recommendations to mitigate risks for journalists reporting from the front lines of a conflict.

Available in: Русский | Українська | العربية | كوردی

Physical Safety: Mines and unexploded ordinance

This video and safety note explain how to work safely in an environment where UXO and explosive devices are present.

Available in: Українська

Digital Safety: Internet shutdowns

This safety note can be useful for journalists concerned about internet shutdowns or internet restrictions during a conflict.

Situational awareness: A guide for journalists

This guide explains how journalists can pay attention to their surroundings and remove themselves from harm’s way in advance of a threat.

Available in: Русский | العربية

Physical and Digital Safety: Arrest and detention

This guide contains resources for journalists to prepare for potential arrest or detention while on assignment.

Physical and digital safety: Protests and civil disorder

This resource contains information for how to prepare for and minimize risk from crowd violence.

First aid videos

A series of first aid videos to supplement training and enhance journalists’ medical preparedness.

A Guide to PPE

This guide provides information on different kinds of personal protective equipment and how they can be worn and used.

Available in: Español

Psychological safety 101

This resource provides information on understanding trauma and its impact.

Essential Steps for Journalists in Emergency Situations

From the Global Investigative Journalism Network– A guide on documents journalists can prepare and preventive measures they can take if a conflict breaks out in their country.

Country-specific safety advice

Covering the West Bank: Security insights and tips for journalists – Safety advice from journalists reporting in the West Bank to help journalists better understand the reporting environment and safety concerns in the territory.

More on: Israel-Gaza War

Ukraine: Guide to movement of personal protective equipment – A practical guide to help journalists quickly understand what PPE can be moved from Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland into Ukraine.

More on: Russia-Ukraine War

If you are a journalist and would like to speak with someone about threats you are facing, please email us at emergencies@cpj.org. For additional safety information, you can text CPJ’s automated chatbot on WhatsApp at +1 206 590 6191.