Resources
These are tools I recommend often. I use them in client work and I organize them around four areas of journalist safety.
Field safety
Assignment planning, neighborhood reporting, protest coverage, and personal safety in the field.
De-escalation resources and practice tools can help reporters set boundaries, exit safely, and reduce harm in tense encounters.
- Journalism Source of Safety
Trauma informed, identity aware toolkit with checklists, gear guidance, and practical tips for students, freelancers, and staff. https://www.sourceofsafety.org/ - James W Foley Journalism Safety Modules
Curriculum and teaching materials on risk assessment, field reporting, civil unrest, and digital safety for educators and students. https://jamesfoleyfoundation.org/journalist-safety/journalism-safety-modules/
Digital and online safety
Online harassment, doxxing risk, social media exposure, and basic digital security.
- Online Violence Response Hub, Coalition Against Online Violence
Legal, psychological, and practical guidance for journalists facing online abuse. https://onlineviolenceresponsehub.org/ - Democracy Toolkit, Teaching Personal and Digital Safety for Student Journalists
Lesson ideas for building safety into student and teaching newsroom workflows. https://democracytoolkit.press/resources/teach-safety-for-student-journalists/
Privacy and policy
Consent, recording, source protection, and handling sensitive information.
- IWMF Newsroom Policy Guide
Guidance and templates for newsroom policies that respond to online harassment and protect staff.
https://www.iwmf.org/newsroom-policy-guide/ - Editor Safety Hub, Fundamentals of Safe Commissioning
Self paced course for editors and managers on safe commissioning, duty of care, and policy decisions.
https://editorsafetyhub.org/course/the-fundamentals-of-safe-commissioning
Mental health and resilience
Trauma, burnout, and support after difficult assignments.
- IWMF Mental Health Guide for Journalists Facing Online Violence
Practical guidance created by trauma aware mental health professionals. https://www.iwmf.org/mental-health-guide/ - American Press Institute, Mental Health Resources for Journalists
Curated mental health and wellness resources for journalists covering trauma, threats, and online harassment. https://americanpressinstitute.org/mental-health-resources-for-journalists
Build a Safety System That Works in Practice
In client work, I help you choose what fits your reporters and your capacity, then build it into a usable safety system.