The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) recently conducted its Newsroom Safety Across America Initiative in Austin, focusing on the safety of journalists amidst an increase in journalist arrests and attacks in 2024, particularly during election season. The training session covered various topics such as risk assessment, journalist rights, and protest safety.
Elisa Lees Muñoz, the executive director of the IWMF, highlighted the importance of addressing this issue before the upcoming election cycle, citing a rise in attacks against journalists during previous election years. Reports from the IWMF indicated that over 40% of the journalists they have trained reported experiencing physical violence or threats while on the job. This alarming trend is further supported by data from the U.S Press Freedom Tracker, which has recorded a surge in journalist arrests and attacks in 2024.
Journalists in battleground states are at a heightened risk, with media personnel being directly targeted at campaign rallies, especially in these states. To better prepare journalists covering these states for the current election cycle, the IWMF has provided safety training sessions in various states including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Furthermore, Muñoz emphasized the importance of safety training for women and journalists of color, as they are often targeted for attacks. The IWMF aims to reach underrepresented communities and provide training where the need is most critical.
During the training session in Austin, journalists from across Texas came together to develop action plans and discuss safety strategies. Corinne Chin from the Associated Press provided valuable insights on risk assessment, real-world scenarios, and the psychological effects that journalists may face while on the job. International Women’s Media Foundation Security Director Jeff Belzil also covered topics such as hotel security, situational awareness, and active-shooter safety.
The training session also included representatives from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, who informed journalists about their rights and how to handle interactions with law enforcement to avoid arrest and protect news-gathering materials. Freelance photojournalist Justin Hamel, who attended the training, expressed the importance of proactively assessing risk and communicating with editors to ensure safety while covering events.
Overall, the IWMF has provided safety training to over 600 journalists to date and continues to offer assistance and advice to those in the news coverage field. Journalists and individuals involved in news reporting are encouraged to reach out to the IWMF for support and guidance.
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