Threats to journos' safety demand fresh approach: CPJ

Much work remains to be done to improve journalists' security in the face of unprecedented threats, including the spread of violent non-state actors, the shrinking rule of law, resurgent authoritarianism, and an industry shift toward reliance on freelancers, according to a report of the Committee to Protect Journalists released yesterday.

Journalists, news outlets, and press freedom groups must find approaches that go beyond traditional training and advocacy, which is why CPJ has launched a new Emergency Response Team, said a press release of the US-based organisation that promotes press freedom and defends the rights of journalists.

“The past six years have been the deadliest and most dangerous for journalists since CPJ began tracking attacks on the press, particularly with new threats by violent political and religious groups and organised crime," said Robert Mahoney, the report's lead author and CPJ's deputy executive director. "We rely increasingly on international freelancers and local journalists for frontline reporting, and they are often poorly paid and vulnerable.”

It said CPJ's Emergencies Response Team will provide support to journalists at risk by supplying information on existing and developing threats and promoting safety through the development of risk assessment mechanisms and contingency planning. When those are not enough, it will work as a crisis management team.