This resource is a collaboration between the IFJ and a number of press freedom groups, including the ACOS Alliance, the Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma, the International Press Institute, the International Women’s Media Foundationand the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers.
The News Organisations Safety Self-Assessment comprises a brief set of key questions and guideline notes that should prompt a constructive conversation around safety best practices and encourage practical and effective ways to advance such practices. The Self-Assessment supports news organisations to identify and better understand their own weaknesses and strengths in relation to the security of all individuals working for them exposed to danger, including freelancers.
The resource pays special attention to gender issues, mental health care, digital security needs and working with freelancers and local journalists, aspects which are often neglected in organisational policy and protocols. The Self-Assessment includes links to relevant articles, reports, guides and other existing resources, as well as a basic glossary. The IFJ believes that strong workplace collective agreements between unions and news organisations can build on the issues raised by the self-assessment process. It is vital workers are involved in the assessment alongside news managers, publishers, executive directors and editors in advancing a culture of safety.
IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: “We are delighted to help launch the News Organisation Safety Self-Assessment in collaboration with our partners. Safety is a major issue for the International Federation of Journalists insofar as there can be no freedom of the press when journalists lives are put at risk. This tool will enable news organizations to improve their safety protocols and develop a greater culture of safety.”
The News Organisations Safety Self-Assessment can be downloaded on our website (click here).
Between now and World Press Freedom Day, May 3, we will be making the Self-Assessment available in five additional languages: Spanish, French, Russian, Arabic and Portuguese.
The development of this resource was made possible with the generous support of the MacArthur Foundation and the Open Society Foundations.