Pre-assignment Preparation - Committee to Protect Journalists
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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:
Reporters Instructed in Saving Colleagues (RISC)
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
[email protected]
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
and
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 Shadow
project
Tow Center for Digital Journalism and Knight Foundation:
Digital Security and Source Protection for Journalists
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