News

Quality journalism in troubled times. An open letter by Fernando de Yarza, President WAN-IFRA

2020-03-28. In the span of just a few weeks, the entire world has been plunged into an inconceivable ordeal. A global pandemic has led to an unprecedented collective psychosis. The fear caused by uncertainty about the present and the future amplifies the turmoil. People get sick, and others unfortunately die. Memories of meetings with friends and family remain distant. Confinement multiplies anxiety. The situation seems to be dragging on.

WAN-IFRA Denounces Death Threats Against Slovenian Journalist in Relation to Covid-19 Reporting

Investigative journalist Blaž Zgaga has been targeted by a hate campaign fuelled by the Slovenian government on social networks and in the media since sending an official Freedom of Information Request on the COVID-19 pandemic to the authorities in Ljubljana.

Webinar takeaways: Ensuring safety of field reporters covering COVID-19

In a WAN-IFRA webinar on Thursday, Roger Renni, Director and Senior Security Consultant at Key Objectives, and Dr Kane Mortlock, Active Paramedic in State Emergency Support, Australia, and Key Objectives Instructor, offered expert advice for journalists working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

WAN-IFRA Denounces Death Threats Against Slovenian Journalist in Relation to Covid-19 Reporting

2020-03-27. Investigative journalist Blaž Zgaga has been targeted by a hate campaign fuelled by the Slovenian government on social networks and in the media since sending an official Freedom of Information Request on the COVID-19 pandemic to the authorities in Ljubljana.

Open letter to President Xi Jinping. The virus thrives on censorship. Free and reliable information is necessary to avoid the worst

2020-03-26. In an open letter to President Xi Jinping, WAN-IFRA and the World Editors Forum urge the Chinese government to reverse its decision to force foreign reporters to leave the country and, more broadly, to ease the growing crackdown on independent news organisations that preceded this action.

Journalists in India Unprotected and Exposed to Violence During Recent Civil Unrest

WAN-IFRA has written to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling for greater protections for journalists in the aftermath of recent civil unrest and following reports of violence targeting journalists reporting from the scene of disturbances.

Staying safe in the eye of the storm – covering protest movements

Staying safe in the eye of the storm – covering protest movements

Podcast – Covering protests: Staying safe to tell the story

Protests have become more frequent, and more violent, around the world. Covering them has become increasingly dangerous for journalists, and has required new ways of thinking and acting.

Groundbreaking Insurance Schemes Provide Coverage for Journalists Anywhere

Insurance is an essential component for any journalist, but many around the globe – especially freelancers – currently work without medical or accident coverage. The ACOS Alliance has partnered with several organisations to promote a handful of plans that offer insurance coverage to anyone, anywhere in the world. WAN-IFRA spoke with Elisabet Cantenys, the Executive Director of the ACOS Alliance, to learn more.

Contracts Are Essential For Safety

Protecting the physical safety of journalists starts well before they head out into the field. While trainings that address physical and mental safety are important, it is essential that journalists negotiate a contract that ensures their well-being in case something goes wrong. But because of the costs of doing so, some media outlets are hesitant to create consistent protocol.