The Safety of Journalists Platform (https://safetyofjournalists.org/) is a joint initiative between the University of Liverpool and the Worlds of Journalism Study in co-operation with UNESCO. The project aims to improve journalists’ safety by creating a one-stop open-access online resource on journalists’ safety for the benefit of the key stakeholders in the process of implementation of the UN Action Plan on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity such as civil society, academics, journalists, journalism students and international organisations. The platform bridges the gap between the different stakeholders and facilitates multistakeholder collaborations on the issue of journalists’ safety. It is hosted by the University of Liverpool and led by Dr Vera Slavtcheva-Petkova, Reader in Global Journalism and Politics. The project is funded by Research England, Public Policy Quality-Related Funding 2022-5 Scheme. All queries should be directed to Dr Slavtcheva-Petkova at vpetkova@liverpool.ac.uk
UNESCO
UNESCO is the lead UN Agency for promoting freedom of expression and safety of journalists as part of its mandate to “promote the free flow of ideas by word and image”. UNESCO supports press freedom and freedom of expression by spearheading the UN Plan of Action for the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, a UN-wide plan to create a free and safe environment for journalists and media workers online and offline, both in conflict and non-conflict situations. The Plan, developed in 2012 through a multistakeholder process, is anchored on the three pillars of prevention, protection, and prosecution of crimes against journalists and media workers, specifically through six key approaches: awareness raising, standard setting and policy making, monitoring and reporting, capacity building, academic research, and coalition building. For more information on how UNESCO promotes freedom of expression and journalist safety around the world visit UNESCO’s website.
The University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is one of the top UK universities, member of the prestigious Russell Group of 24 leading UK universities. The platform is hosted by DigiPol: The Centre for Digital Politics, Media and Democracy based in the Department of Communication and Media - an interdisciplinary centre that champions challenge-led collaborative and interdisciplinary research to address some of the most pressing research questions around digital media and democracy. The project is run by Dr Vera Slavtcheva-Petkova, Reader in Global Journalism and Media, Dr Emily Harmer, Senior Lecturer in Media, Dr Rosalynd Southern, Senior Lecturer in Political Communication and Dr Christos Kostopolous, Research Associate (project team at World Press Freedom Day 2023 - photo below). Dr Slavtcheva-Petkova is the author of "Global Journalism: An Introduction" (with Professor Michael Bromley, Palgrave, 2018), "Russia’s Liberal Media: Handcuffed but Free" (Routledge, 2018), "Discussing Trump’s America Online: Digital Commenting in China, Mexico and Russia" (Palgrave, 2023) and "Young People, Media and Politics in the Digital Age" (Routledge, 2023). She is Principal Investigator for Bulgaria and Co-Investigator for Ukraine in the Worlds of Journalism Study as well as Central and Eastern Europe Regional Coordinator (with Alice Němcová Tejkalová, Charles University) and chair of the Journalists’ Safety Working Group. She is also the Central and Eastern Europe Regional Co-Lead in the Journalism Safety Research Network.
The Worlds of Journalism Study
The Worlds of Journalism Study is a cross-national collaborative project assessing the state of journalism in the world through representative surveys with journalists. The project was founded in 2010 and is currently in its third wave (2021-2023). It is led by Professor Thomas Hanitzsch at LMU Munich. Researchers from more than 120 countries are currently surveying journalists focusing, among other topics, on journalists’ safety, deteriorating editorial freedom, influences on news production, the impact of technology, and increased precarization of journalistic labour. First results will be available in early 2024. A joint effort of researchers from around the world, the project aspires to the highest standards of scientific collaboration and collective publishing. In so doing, WJS has become a driver of comparative research in journalism studies, and an institutional home for those who engage in it. A team of researchers from the study developed a conceptual framework for the study of journalists’ safety and are in the process of designing a global index comparing journalists’ safety around the world across four dimensions: physical, psychological, digital and financial. In 2022, letters were exchanged between UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information Dr Tawfik Jelassi and the Worlds of Journalism Study Association Chairman Professor Thomas Hanitzsch outlining four areas of cooperation. This project is launched in fulfillment of one of the priority areas - “Providing a platform for sharing of academic research within the framework of implementing the UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity”.
The University of Liverpool is one of the top UK universities, member of the prestigious Russell Group of 24 leading UK universities.
The Worlds of Journalism Study is a cross-national collaborative project assessing the state of journalism in the world through representative surveys with journalists.
UNESCO is the lead UN Agency for promoting freedom of expression and safety of journalists as part of its mandate to “promote the free flow of ideas by word and image”.