How to report safely: Strategies for women journalists and their allies

Introduction Module: Course Description

During this introductory module you will be able to watch our welcome video where you will find out information about your instructor and the topics she will cover over the coming weeks. You can also check out our reading materials to learn more about the global threats that women journalists face, and the effects they can have.

Module 1: Introduction to safety planning for journalists 

In this module, we will focus on how to develop a risk assessment and a communication strategy. We will look at the considerations needed to create a realistic and workable plan to share with your editor or newsroom security manager, as well as advice for freelancers working for multiple outlets. How we communicate in the field is an essential component to our safety, as is having a working safety plan in place.

This module will cover:

• Risk assessments
• Creating a basic communication plan
• Q&A with Tanya Warnakulasuriya, a safety expert based in Sri Lanka

Module 2: Situational awareness and personal safety

As we head out on assignment it’s important to also consider our own strategies for safety in the field, as we often work in fast-paced and changing environments. In this module we’ll take a personal approach to how we mitigate risk in the field, and we’ll explore other factors such as kit and equipment we need to protect ourselves.

This module will cover:

• Kit and personal protective equipment
• Understanding how situational awareness affects our personal safety
• Travel and location safety

Module 3: Harassment and gender-based violence

Here we will focus on a selection of threats that journalists, especially women, face while reporting. We will share some strategies on how to be prepared in the field and how to support and be an ally to someone who is experiencing or has experienced harassment.

This module will cover:

• An understanding of the types of physical harassment and gender-based violence, including sexual violence
• Support for those experiencing harassment and how to support as an ally
• Reporting, signposting and after care
• A Q&A with Kristen Chick, a freelance journalist focused on gender, conflict, and migration

Module 4: Self care and mental wellbeing

We often face challenging situations as journalists, and this module will focus on some simple strategies to create a peer support network and share information on support services for working women journalists.

This module will cover:

• A basic understanding of our emotional wellbeing both pre- and post-assignment
• How to create a self-care plan
• A conversation with a mental health expert in understanding the effects of trauma on our physical and mental wellbeing