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