Resources for journalists covering protests
This is your comprehensive guide to navigating and reporting on protests during tumultuous times. As protests continue to shape narratives nationwide, journalists play a crucial role in delivering accurate and impactful stories.
We’ve gathered the following resources so you may have them in one place, for quick reference, if needed. We hope you will find them useful.
– The SPJ Code of Ethics provides guidance on reporting and covering stories accurately, fairly and thoroughly.
– SPJ’s Ethics Hotline is available for journalists facing ethical dilemmas while reporting.
– The SPJ Legal Defense Fund is a unique account that can be tapped for providing journalists with legal or direct financial assistance.
– The Quill magazine piece “The Press and the Police: How to handle interactions with law enforcement” highlights some tips.
– The U.S. Journalists’ Assistance Network has a list of resources for journalists’ safety. For additional assistance or to speak directly with the Committee to Protect Journalist’s Emergencies team, email emergencies@cpj.org.
– The International Women’s Media Foundation’s United States Journalism Emergency Fund directly supports U.S. journalists in need.
– Independent Journalist and SPJ Member Jennifer Karchmer hosts a webinar in partnership with IWMF on best practices for journalists covering protests.
– The Committee to Protect Journalists offers tips and resources for covering protests.
– Journalists who need assistance can call or email the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press legal hotline at 1-800-336-4243 or hotline@rcfp.org to reach attorneys.
– RCFP also offers this more in-depth guide to Police, Protesters and the Press.
– The International Journalists’ Network provides these Mental Health Resources and Tips for Journalists.
– National Press Photographers Association created this Critical Stress Help Sheet.
– American Press Institute has a guide focused on journalists and mental health.
– PEN America hosts a webinar about Digital Safety, Privacy & Surveillance for Reporters.
– Student Press Law Center has a guide for students covering protests.