ECPMF

23 March 2022

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Launch of PRESSProtect – Resources to support journalist safety in Europe

Leipzig, Germany (23 March 2022) — Partners of the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) are pleased to announce the launch of PRESSProtect, a brand new platform that gathers and showcases all available support for journalists and media workers in Europe who are confronted with violence, prosecution, and/or harassment due to their work. The resources featured on PRESSProtect have been gathered from organisations all over the world.

 

Central to the development of the platform was an understanding that threats to journalist safety can take numerous different forms, can happen to any media workers, and can take place anywhere in the world. As a result, PRESSProtect offers a chance for media workers to access tailored support that will match their specific needs. 

 

Once a media worker in distress accesses the PRESSProtect website, they will be encouraged to select: 

 

  1. The type of support they wish to receive (living expenses, psychosocial support and medical aid, support for digital or physical safety, relocation, legal support, or support in exile)
  2. Their region/location
  3. The target group which they fall under (journalists and media workers, human rights defenders, journalists and media workers in exile, family members, media outlets, union/association members, whistleblowers, or others)

 

After doing this, the user will receive a list of available support options tailored to their exact situation.

 

Ahead of the launch, Katrin Schatz, Project Manager Practical Support at the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) said:

“There is a wide range of valuable initiatives, projects, and organisations that support journalists and media workers in difficult situations, worldwide, but also in Europe. The need for support is growing. Our idea was to have these resources in one place and to make them accessible to as many journalists in distress as possible – and the result is PRESSProtect.”

 

The platform was officially launched during a workshop on Day 2 of the MFRR Summit 2022: Boosting Press Freedom. The workshop guided participants through the platform, outlining how it can be used and who it can support. 

 

At present, PRESSProtect features 150 support offers from 109 different organisations. Users are also encouraged to contribute to the ongoing development of the platform. Those who would like to feature a relevant resource on the platform are invited to get in touch.

 

More information: https://pressprotect.ecpmf.eu/ 

Contact: press@ecpmf.eu

PRESSProtect is developed under the Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR). MFRR tracks, monitors and reacts to violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States and Candidate Countries. This project provides legal and practical support, public advocacy and information to protect journalists and media workers. The MFRR is organised by an alliance led by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) including ARTICLE 19, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the Institute for Applied Informatics at the University of Leipzig (InfAI), International Press Institute (IPI) and CCI/Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT). The project commenced in 2020 and is funded by the European Commission.

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