The U.S. government’s relentless assault on press freedom is putting journalists and news outlets at risk. Amidst an increasingly hostile environment, reporters are contending with doxing, death threats, physical violence, libel lawsuits, and other intimidation tactics.
The Journalist Safety Urgent Care Helpline provides U.S.-based journalists and news outlets with safety consults for digital, physical, legal, and psychosocial concerns—from safety planning to prepare for risky assignments or the publication of sensitive stories to dealing with threats, arrests, legal intimidation, cyber mobs, and doxing.
Launched on November 5, 2024 as a Knight-funded pilot project, the Helpline was initially intended to run through the inauguration. In response to intense and growing demand, the Helpline has been extended to run through the first 100 days of the Trump administration.
The Helpline is an innovative collaboration among 6 journalist safety organizations—PEN America, Committee to Protect Journalists, International Women’s Media Foundation, Freedom of the Press Foundation, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and Aegis Safety Alliance—and 4 leading safety advisors—Yemile Bucay, Jeje Mohamed, Ramy Ghaly, and Viktorya Vilk.
If you’re a U.S. journalist or news outlet concerned about safety, email urgentcare@electionsos.org with the word “SAFETY” in the subject line and a safety expert will reach out as soon as possible. NOTE: please don’t include any sensitive information in your email!
