Resources for Media Workers Covering the Conflict in Ukraine
The Public Media Alliance team has compiled a list of recommended tools and resources for journalists and media organisations covering the fast-developing war in Ukraine. It includes links and guides on conflict reporting, financial assistance and journalist safety. This resource will be updated regularly.
Updated: 25 March 2022
Explore our other relevant tools pages, including Fact Checking & Investigative Journalism Tools and Refugee crises and migration reporting.
Featured resource
Reporters without Borders (RSF) and its local Ukrainian partner, the Institute for Mass Information (IMI) have launched a press freedom center in Lviv, Western Ukraine, that will provide vital physical and digital assistance for journalists working under dangerous conditions in Ukraine. Journalists will be offered protective equipment such as bulletproof vests and helmets; the center itself can also be used as a place for shelter in the event of an attack. They will also be offered information and advice on financial and psychological assistance.
Foreign journalists can also work from the Center between 8am and 8pm where they will have access to internet connection and live-streaming capacities.
CAN YOU HELP? RSF is calling on international donors and media outlets to contact RSF to help provide funds and equipment needed to supply the Center.
Conflict Reporting
Resources for Reporters and Editors Covering the Conflict in Ukraine
Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma – Columbia Journalism School
As Russian troops invaded Ukraine, the Dart Center has assembled a list of resources for local and international journalists who are covering this fast-developing crisis.
It includes resources on:
- Reporting and trauma-informed interviewing
- Safety
- Traumatic imagery
- Advice for managers
See also: Freelance Journalist Safety Principles
Lists, live blogs and maps
Nieman Lab
Nieman Lab has compiled a variety of lists, liveblogs and maps to follow in helping to cover the conflict, especially for those who are not too familiar with the situation.
Support and resources
International Journalists’ Network
IJNet is offering a list of reporting resources which includes tips for covering the invasion and combatting mis- and disinformation. Given the increasing numbers of people fleeing Ukraine, IJNet has also included resources for refugee reporting and mental health, alongside recommended emergency assistance, recommendations for digital and physical safety and support for independent media.
Reuters Institute’s help to cover the Russia-Ukraine crisis
Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
In this expanding Twitter thread, RISJ shares a curated selection of useful resources, databases and trusted news articles for journalists covering the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
See also: RISJ’s selection of articles concerning journalism’s role in covering the invasion (Twitter thread)
Tools and resources for journalists covering the Ukrainian war
Journalism.co.uk
Journalism.co.uk has a round-up of useful resources for fact-checking and trauma reporting.
The importance of ethics when reporting on conflict
Public Media Alliance
A keynote address by Dhruba Hari Adhikary on how ethics and conflict reporting interact.
Public media organisations
Public media organisations have been using their various platforms to inform the public with the latest developments on the Russia-Ukraine crisis. This non-exhaustive list highlights some of the emerging, innovative public media offerings that may inspire journalists and media workers developing their own coverage:
- 24/7 news services (Slovakia’s RTVS)
- Automatic subtitled live broadcasts (ERR)
- Extended, special current affairs programming (CBC)
- Fact-checked, educational journalism for children (SVT’s Duo app)
- Live blogs (ABC Australia)
- ‘Your Questions Answered’ (BBC’s interactive Q&A feature)
Journalist Safety
Hosting displaced Ukrainian and Russian journalists and other forms of practical support
International Press Institute
IPI is creating a database of members’ newsrooms that can provide displaced independent Ukrainian, Russian or Belarusian journalists a place to work and possibly support in finding accommodation so they can continue doing their jobs. Alternatively, they are seeking newsrooms that can offer other forms of support such as news and safety equipment.
Essential Steps for Journalists in Emergency Situations
Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN)
GIJN provides a list of essential documents that journalists need to hand for their evacuation plans when it comes to relocating to safer regions or countries. It specifically advises to have such documents like a passport, national ID card, various kinds of certificates (birth, marriage, professional, vaccine) as original or physical copies; photographic copies and ensure that these materials are backed up.
It also links to more of GIJN’s physical and safety advice as well as organisations that can offer additional support for relocation.
This information is also available in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Portuguese, Urdu, Bengali, Russian, Turkish, Ukrainian, Spanish, and Indonesian.
Pre-Assignment Preparation: Emergencies
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
CPJ has a dedicated safety portal for journalists heading into reporting on emergencies. It provides a detailed list of pre-assignment considerations and recommendations, including safety manuals and guides, planning, training, insurance, personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as medical, trauma and digital preparedness.
Safety Guide for Journalists
Reporters without Borders (RSF), UNESCO
RSF has a comprehensive handbook (published in 2015) for journalists working in high-risk environments. Developed in partnership with UNESCO, the resource covers planning and preparation; keeping safe on assignment, digital safety, best practices as well as treating physical injuries and traumatic stress. There are also sections in this guide which are relevant for covering protests/demonstrations (such as section 6 of chapter 3). There are also useful sections for managers to consider if they are sending journalists abroad to cover protests (see chapter 2, for example).
Also available in French, Spanish and Arabic.
JOURNALIST SAFETY
JOURNALIST’S TOOLBOX, Society of Professional Journalists
The SPJ has updated its JOURNALIST’S TOOLBOX page on journalist safety with a plethora of tools and videos on personal safety training, security tools worldwide, how broadcasters can set up live shots safely. Its other relevant resources mental health, pandemic reporting safety, covering protests, digital security, and public safety.
Practical and legal tools to protect the safety of journalists
Thomson Reuters Foundation
“The Thomson Reuters Foundation has partnered with UNESCO, the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF), and the International News Safety Institute (INSI) to develop practical and legal tools for journalists, media managers and newsrooms to counter harassment.”
Storysmart
National Union of Journalists
In December 2021, the NUJ and Google News Initiative launched an online interactive tool to ‘help journalists’ deal with hostile environments and cyber threats.’ It takes the form of 10-20 minute online interactive modules that delve into risk in hostile environments, psychological trauma, cybersecurity and dealing with injury, including advice from hostile environment trainers, cyber-security experts and experienced journalists.
SaferJourno – Digital Security Resources for Media Trainers
Internews
“SaferJourno is a free and open-source curriculum guide for media trainers who teach students, professionals and peers digital safety and online security. SaferJourno provides lesson plans for six different modules; assessing risks, basic protection, mobile phone safety, keeping data safe, researching securely, and protecting email. The toolkit starts with the trainer’s guide, which walks journalism and media trainers through easy-to-use adult teaching and learning approaches.” [Text sourced from SaferJourno]
The toolkit is also available in Spanish.
Safety package
International Media Support
IMS’ safety package includes training in risk analysis, first aid, conflict sensitive journalism, media laws and code of conducts, as well as practical measures such as a 24/7 hotline, safe houses, safety equipment, legal and emergency assistance. Its advocacy work includes monitoring attacks and threat levels as well as engaging with governments on the protection of journalists. All of IMS’ safety work is in conjunction with the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and Issue of Impunity.
9 ways journalists can push back against the stress of an always-on story
Poynter
Mental health tips and resources for journalists
International Journalists’ Network (IJNET)
Tips and resources for journalists to safeguard not only their own mental health but also the mental health of their sources. This resource also includes a webinar on journalists’ mental health, hosted by International Journalists’ Network (IJNET) and which featured panellists Bruce Shapiro, executive director of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma at Columbia University; and Sherry Ricchiardi, Ph.D., co-author of ICFJ’s Disaster and Crisis Coverage guide and international media trainer.
Financial Assistance
Many media and journalist groups offer financial support, which can help to assist media workers with temporary and urgent support, including relocation, legal or medical assistance.
EFJ and IFJ Ukraine Safety Fund
European Federation of Journalists, International Federation of Journalists
EFJ and IFJ have set up a joint, dedicated fund for journalists. “All funds donated will be used directly to provide emergency assistance to support journalists under threat.” They include supplying journalists with first aid kits, flak jackets, helmets and medical supplies, as well as assistance with relocation and humanitarian assistance.
Donations can be made here.
IPI Ukraine Solidarity Fund: Financial and humanitarian support
International Press Institute
“All funds raised will go directly to independent media in Ukraine. IPI is working closely with several trusted partners to distribute funding to a range of journalists in the country, including The Fix and the Media Development Foundation, which has coordinated emergency funding to nearly 60 independent media organizations in Ukraine. Through the IPI Ukraine Solidarity Fund we will be able to provide a united contribution from IPI members to media with urgent needs.” IPI members can donate here.
IFJ Safety Fund
International Federation of Journalists
“Offers financial assistance in a range of emergency cases such as threats, violence and threats thereof, prosecution, settlement in exile and illness.”
Media Lifeline Ukraine
Free Press Unlimited
The Media Lifeline is FPU’s contribution to maintain independent reporting in Ukraine. It is a coalition that aims “to protect journalists and keep reliable information available in and around Ukraine which we believe will be absolutely essential for the longer term”.
Emergency Fund Intake Form
International Women’s Media Foundation
IWMF provides women journalists with a lifeline of support in times of distress or threat. It offers women journalists small grants for physiological and medical care for incidents directly related to their work; three months of temporary relocation assistance; legal aid, as well as non-financial assistance including information and additional access to resources.
Protective Kit for Freelance Journalists
Rory Peck Trust
The Rory Peck Trust is raising funds to protect as many journalists working on the ground in Ukraine to cover the war, by supplying them with official protective safety kit, including a flak jacket and helmet. These will be procured and delivered by their partners Journalists in Distress.
See also: the Rory Peck Trust Crisis Fund which supports freelance journalists in need of help with temporary relocation or accommodation.
Global Forum for Media Development crisis/emergency list
Global Forum for Media Development
The GMFD has curated an extensive list of organisations providing emergency funding during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Available in English and Ukrainian.
See also: a page of information on fundraising and crowdfunding for media and journalists in Ukraine.
Eastern European Independent Journalist Fund
Transitions
Prague-based journalism training organisation Transitions has set up the Eastern European Independent Journalist Fund in partnership with the South East European Network for Professionalization of Media (SEENPM) and various other media support centers to provide an “urgent lifeline for journalists from Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus”. The Fund will pay freelance journalists and those working for independent local or national media especially as their normal incomes decrease as a result of the war.
Fundraiser for Ukrainian independent media
The Kyiv Independent
A GoFundMe page has been set up by a senior executive of The Kyiv Independent to support Ukraine’s independent media
Header Image: Warsaw, Poland. 24 February 2022. Anti-war protest outside Russian embassy in Warsaw. Demonstrators call for peace and condemn Putin. Credit: Grand Warszawski / Shutterstock.com
Funding Journalism in Israel: Secrecy and Political Influence
Funding Journalism in Israel: Secrecy and Political Influence
Center for Media, Data and Society | Central European University
Published: June 2020
Unusual opacity is the most salient characteristic of the media system in Israel, where the involvement of political figures in media operation raises serious concerns.
At first glance, the Israeli media market seems a diverse mix of old and new, public and commercial, cable and satellite, and increasingly dominant, if not ubiquitous, digital media. But beneath the appearance of this growing diversity, there is little pluralism…
Text sourced from CMDS | CEU
Who Finances India’s Journalism?
Who Finances India’s Journalism?
Center for Media, Data and Society | Central European University
Published: June 2020
Commercial advertisers are the largest players in terms of funding spent in the media in India, but the state has also a significant role, financing the country’s public service broadcaster, shelling out public advertising money to commercial media and holding a monopoly over the news radio market.
The news media market in India is regionally and linguistically fragmented but ownership is concentrated within a handful of large players, more so in regional geographies. It is significant that the news business is largely run and owned by individuals (and families) with primarily non-media business interests and assets…
Text sourced from CMDS | CEU
Journalism Thrives in Slovakia Despite Growing Oligarchic Control
Journalism Thrives in Slovakia Despite Growing Oligarchic Control
Center for Media, Data and Society | Central European University
Published: May 2020
Slovaks have access to a plethora of news platforms, but many of them are in the hands of powerful financial corporations, closely linked with political groups. Nevertheless, swelling demand for accurate, quality information boosts the country’s independent journalism.
Slovakia is a voracious news consumer, with almost two thirds of people reading news portals, newspapers or news magazines. Much of this news appetite was stirred by technological advancement. Over 86% of people use the internet, which is a big leap from less than 30% in the beginning of the 2010s…
Text sourced from CMDS | CEU
Small Screen: Big Debate
Small Screen: Big Debate
Ofcom
2020
Join the conversation on the future of public service broadcasting in the UK
This website will allow you to access a wide variety of research, learn more of our work in this area and submit your views directly to us on the future of public service broadcasting and media.
Countering Disinformation
Countering Disinformation
Cardiff University | Arts and Humanities Research Council
2020
“Disinformation is a growing risk to the health of many democratic systems. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, this project will assess how leading UK public service media are counteracting it in news reporting.”
This project is the largest of its kind in the UK and focusses on the content produced by The BBC, Channel 4 ITV and Sky News. It aims to provide a “comprehensive understanding of how British public service media and audiences are developing practices to address and counter disinformation. “
Types, sources, and claims of COVID-19 misinformation
Types, sources, and claims of COVID-19 misinformation
A Reuters Institute factsheet identifying some of the main types of misinformation shared during the COVID-19 pandemic
“In this factsheet we identify some of the main types, sources, and claims of COVID-19 misinformation seen so far. We analyse a sample of 225 pieces of misinformation rated false or misleading by fact-checkers and published in English between January and the end of March 2020, drawn from a collection of fact-checks maintained by First Draft.” – Reuters Institute.
Media Influence Matrix
Media Influence Matrix Project
Central European University’s Centre for Media, Data and Society (CEU-CMDS)
About
Launched in 2017, the CMDS project maps and assesses “the state of journalism on a country-by-country basis”. Country reports include articles, analytical papers and data sets that aim to answer questions on regulation, funding and technology.
Humanitarian Journalism
Text from Humanitarian Journalism:
The Humanitarian Journalism project is seeking to better understand how the news media report on humanitarian crises and what shapes their coverage.
We are seeking to map the sub-field of humanitarian journalism and in doing so, further investigate:
1) How journalists define humanitarian news
2) How such news is shaped by political, economic and technological factors
3) What the impact of humanitarian news is on the humanitarian sector
This project is an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional collaboration that draws on newsroom ethnography, interviews and content analysis. Please get in touch if you have any questions about our work. Further details about the research team, our outputs, publications and partners can be found on this site.
The project is primarily a collaboration between Dr Mel Bunce (City, University of London), Dr Martin Scott (University of East Anglia) and Dr Kate Wright (Edinburgh University). Click on the link below to find out more and access resources.
The Public Media Alliance is an institutional partner of Humanitarian Journalism.
Featured Image: The NORAD of ABC in Austin. Image: Trey Ratcliff/Creative Commons
PSM research websites
Are you interested in public service media (PSM) research? Are you struggling to find specific research articles related to contemporary PSM around the world?
Here you will find a number of recommended organisations that specialise in PSM and other relevant media research. Their websites play host to a wealth of publications, event listings and PSM research news.
Where possible we will link to organisations that make their research publicly available.
Remember to explore PMA’s Knowledge Hub for our recent publications, recommended articles and research news from around the world.
Deutsche Welle Akademie
DW Akademie is Germany’s leading organization for international media development. It supports the development of free and transparent media, quality journalism, and also offers programmes to boost media skills.
The Akademie offers a range of training opportunities for journalists and media organisations as well as clients from politics, business and civil society. Its Master’s degree program , “International Media Studies”, combines the disciplines of media and development, journalism, communication studies and media management.
Beyond media training, DW Akademie runs a variety of media development projects and research programmes around the world, with further efforts to promote media freedom and freedom of expression.
Its website hosts a number of articles and reports relevant to public media, such as In Service of the Public. You can find a wealth of other media development articles and publications here.
For more information, click here.
ECPMF & OBCT Resource Centre
An open and growing resource website developed by Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT) and the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF).
The site has a broad range of resources ranging from academic papers to legal tools and practical instruments for training purposes. The resources are curated with a focus on Europe and issues surrounding democracy and particularly media freedom in the region.
Despite being launched in 2015 there are already over one thousand resource items available.
For more information, click here.
Global PSM Experts Network/PMR
The Global PSM Experts Network is a joint project of the EBU and the RIPE network which operates as a platform for bringing together researchers and experts of public service media around the world.
'This Network will merge with the International Association of Public Media Researchers (PMR). PMR will be an association for scholars and industry experts who support Public Media worldwide. It’s a continuation of the RIPE network and, just like RIPE, will feature an online community, a bi-annual conference jointly hosted by a university and their local public service media, and a biannual edited collection of the most world-leading scholarly work for the year of publication.
The activities include:
- Bi-annual conferences
- Related open-access Readers by Nordicom
- Discussions and information exchanges in our social media communities on Facebook and Twitter
For more information, click here to access the network's Facebook group whilst they launch their new website.
InnoPSM
Innovation in Public Service Media Policies (InnoPSM) is a new ARHC-funded research network, which uses a multi-stakeholder approach to bring together academic experts, practitioners and policymakers with a shared interest in PSM to discuss global, ‘innovative policy solutions and strategies’ to confront the contemporary challenges facing PSM in the digital age.
Read PMA's report on InnoPSM's launch and activities here.
NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute
Founded in 1946, The NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute was the “first facility for comprehensive research to be operated by a broadcasting station”.
Operated by Japanese PSB NHK, the institute conducts research into various media and social fields to deepen and enrich the quality of broadcasting culture in Japan, the Pacific region and worldwide. Its website hosts an extensive catalogue of open-source research reports and publications, with many available in English. According to the institute;
“The findings, which are made public, not only contribute to better NHK programming and program production, but also modify the basic framework of public broadcasting. The Institute suggests how broadcasting might change in the digital era and analyzes new broadcasting services.
The Institute surveys public opinion to generate data that can be used when preparing programs and publications, as well as in other planning activities. The Institute also conducts research on survey methods and data analysis.”
For more information, click here.
Nordicom
NORDICOM is a knowledge centre in the field of media and communication research – a cooperation between Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
Research at Nordicom is focussed on three core working areas: Media and Communication Research Findings in the Nordic Countries, Trends and Developments in the Media Sectors in the Nordic Countries and Research on Young People and Media Worldwide.
Their website plays host to a variety of open source and paid-for research publications and journal papers, with frequent calls for papers. According to Nordicom they specialise in the following:
“Starting from academic research, Nordicom collects and adapts knowledge, mediating it to various user groups in the Nordic region, Europe and elsewhere in the world. Nordicom is an institution under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Nordicom’s work aims at developing media studies and at helping to ensure that research results are made visible in the treatment of media issues at different levels in both the public and private sector. Nordicom’s activities are based on broad and extensive network of contacts and collaboration with members of the research community, media companies, politicians, regulators, teachers, librarians, and so forth, around the world.”
To find out more click here.
RIPE
The initiative for Re-Visionary Interpretations of the Public Enterprise (RIPE) is a non-profit international network of scholars and practitioners involved with the study, development and management of public service media organisations.
RIPE is an international project that is dedicated to reinventing, redefining, and recreating the meanings and practices of public service in media for the 21st century. Although many of the original conceptualisations of public media have continuing relevance today – despite rapid and sweeping changes – it is crystal clear that conditions, needs and situations are much different and more varied today when compared with the realities that legitimated the heritage approach that was developed in the early to mid-20th century in Western Europe.
RIPE has an astounding source of globally sourced and open articles on its website and hosts a biennial conference that brings together research contributors, PSM specialists and other contributors to discuss the current and future PSM landscape worldwide.
To find out more and access RIPE’s extensive research archives, click here.