Thread by @pressfreedom

Hey journalists! Will you be covering the 2020 U.S. elections?

Bookmark & share #CPJEmergencies' latest safety kit on reporting on the elections.

Sign up for the #PressSafety2020 mailing list to receive election safety updates at cpj.org/presssafety2020
cpj.org/2020/01/us-ele…

#CPJEmergencies' U.S. election safety kit includes information for editors, reporters, and photojournalists on how to prepare for assignments and how to mitigate digital, physical, and psychological risk.

See the full kit here: cpj.org/2020/01/us-ele…

#CPJEmergencies' latest U.S. election safety kit includes:

-Editor’s Safety Checklist
-Physical Safety: Covering rallies and protests
-Digital Safety: Online harassment and trolling
-Digital Safety: Identifying bots
-Digital Safety: Protecting your devices
-General Resources

From #CPJEmergencies editor’s safety checklist for the U.S. election:

-Have you recorded staffs' emergency contacts?
-Do staff have the appropriate accreditation, press passes, or a letter indicating they work for your organization?

More: cpj.org/2020/01/us-ele…

In advance of the 2020 U.S. election, editors should consider:

Does the role or profile of any journalist on assignment put them at more risk? (E.g. photojournalists who work closer to the action or individuals who may attract unwanted attention due to their identity or outlet.)

Questions for editors to consider for coverage of the 2020 U.S. election:

-Do journalists have access to the necessary equipment & do they know how to use it?
-Will journalists be working alone? Risks for solo assignments can be considerably greater.
cpj.org/2019/09/physic…

Before sending journalists on assignment to cover the 2020 U.S. election, editors should:

-Detail potential risks & safety measures in place
-Detail communication plans & how staff will remove themselves from a situation if necessary
-Identify local medical facilities

To reduce risk for journalists covering the 2020 U.S. election, editors should consider:

-Is the team correctly insured and have you put in place appropriate medical cover?
-Have you considered the possibility of long-term trauma-related stress?

More: cpj.org/2020/01/us-ele…

#PressSafety2020: Journalists have been physically assaulted and verbally abused at political events, rallies, and protests in the U.S.

#CPJEmergencies has detailed safety advice for journalists covering rallies and protests.

Learn more: cpj.org/2020/01/us-ele…

Journalists planning on covering the 2020 U.S. elections should be cognizant of differing legislation, gun control regulations, and police tactics in each U.S. state.

See #CPJEmergencies' safety advice on covering rallies and protests: cpj.org/2020/01/us-ele…

If covering protests during the 2020 U.S. election cycle, journalists in the U.S. should consider #CPJEmergencies' advice:

-Plan the assignment and ensure your cell phone is charged
-Know the area you are going to
-Plan what you would do in an emergency

cpj.org/2020/01/us-ele…

Coverage of protests in the U.S. in recent years has shown police using rubber bullets, bean bag rounds, tear gas and water cannon to quell protesters.

If reporting on a protest, heed #CPJEmergencies' advice for journalists: cpj.org/2020/01/us-ele…

#PressSafety2020

To minimize risk when dealing with tear gas, #CPJEmergencies recommends that journalists:

-Wear PPE that includes a gas mask, eye protection, body armor, and a helmet
-Take note of landmarks that can be used to help you navigate out of the area if you are struggling to see

Journalists have previously been assaulted at political rallies in the U.S. #CPJEmergencies advises:

-Gauge the mood of protesters toward journalists before entering any crowd
-Watch for potential assailants

Learn more about #PressSafety2020: cpj.org/2020/01/us-ele…

Journalists who may face an increased level of online harassment during election time should take steps to protect themselves and their accounts.

#CPJEmergencies details how journalists can minimize the risk of online harassment. #PressSafety2020

cpj.org/2020/01/us-ele…

Digital safety advice from #CPJEmergencies for journalists covering the 2020 U.S. election:

-Review your digital privacy settings
-Review your social media privacy settings and limit what is publically available
-Ensure any personal data (phone numbers; birth date) is removed

#PressSafety2020: Journalists should monitor their social media accounts regularly for increased levels of trolling or for signs that an online attack may become a physical threat.

Find more advice for covering the 2020 U.S. election from #CPJEmergencies:
cpj.org/2020/01/us-ele…

CPJ has documented how journalists have been trolled online and doxed by groups.

In advance of the 2020 U.S. election, take a look at #CPJEmergencies safety advisory: cpj.org/2020/01/us-ele…

Trolls and others looking for a journalist’s personal data can often find information from the unsecured social media accounts of those close to the journalist.

To reduce the risk, heed #CPJEmergencies' safety advisory for the 2020 U.S. election.

cpj.org/2020/01/us-ele…