Our new Safety Consultation Desk is aimed at Arabic-speaking freelance journalists based in the MENA region. Bespoke safety advice will help journalists navigate new projects with awareness, leading to a growing culture of safety in the media industry.
This support is designed to help experienced journalists at the pre-production stage when planning assignments in hostile environments. It is not intended for new entrants to journalism, for general safety & security tips, or editorial advice.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible to use the Safety Consultation Desk, you must be:
- a freelance journalist who does not have a regular salary or retainer;
- a mid-career investigative journalist from the MENA region OR a journalist who is
- exposed to threats because of their journalistic work or because of their gender or societal and cultural affiliation;
- working on an investigative assignment that will take no longer than six months to be published;
- a journalist in need of safety advice to help with their assignment.
Please note: The number of consultations available is limited and spaces will be allocated following an assessment of individual circumstances.
How it works
Each advice session is prepared ahead of time according to the needs of the journalist. Guidance is intended to give journalists access to knowledge and expertise that will help them improve their safety practices and answer any specific questions they may have concerning planning an assignment and/or how to deal with the threats and risks they face because of their gender or journalistic work. The sessions will be one-on-one and will take place online.
Upon application, the Rory Peck Trust will match experts with freelance journalists in need of tailored advice in any of the following three areas of safety:
- Physical Safety
Physical risk experts offer customised advice for freelancers on basic situational awareness and risk assessment, stress management, and recommendations on how they should operate, including identifying routes, transport and contacts, and creating a communications plan. - Digital Safety
Experts provide one-on-one advice on practical ways for journalists to secure mobile and internet communications and data from intrusion and tracking, as well as the latest best practices on protecting sources. - Legal Safety
Lawyers advise on laws regarding the protection of sources, press access and filming permissions, as well as the rights of law enforcement to seize equipment or restrict reporting orders. Legal consultants can also offer guidance on sensitive investigations that are likely to lead to litigation and how to protect yourself from future lawsuits.