RESOURCES & INITIATIVES
PRACTICAL HELP
AND GUIDANCE FOR
FREELANCERS & NEWSROOMS
RESOURCES & INITIATIVES
The ACOS Alliance is committed to providing freelance journalists and newsrooms with access to information and resources that help them to prepare for specific safety challenges and to meet the basic safety standards outlined in the ACOS Principles. Find below relevant information about these.
Following the storming of the US Capitol Building in Washington DC on 6th January 2021, and ahead of Joe Biden's inauguration on 20th January, ACOS partners released their own safety advisories, webinars and resources for journalists and editors planning to cover events across the country. Covering everything from risk assessment and planning to situational awareness and on-the-ground tactics, this resource provides valuable information and guidance for any protest situation.
With freelance journalists and news organisations working under extraordinary and challenging conditions, we create a resource that provides newsrooms and commissioning editors with practical guidance on how to cover the pandemic professionally and in a way that minimises risk. COVID-19 News Organizations Safety Protocols has been produced in partnership with a group of ACOS signatories and is available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic.
We have also created a list of practical safety resources including advisories and webinars.
TRAUMA MANAGEMENT + SUPPORT
This practical toolkit is designed specifically for newsrooms working with freelance journalists and it contains practical information, tips and guidance to help editors assess trauma exposure among contributors and plan the necessary action and support.
Created in partnership with Dart Centre Asia Pacific, this practical guide is an invitation for newsrooms to embed trauma informed journalism within their working practices.
The ACOS Alliance is keen to facilitate access to insurance to freelancers and local journalists around the world. You can find here some new options that cover not only reporters, but fixers and stringers, drivers and translators on the ground, regardless of where they are based, at discounted prices. The ACOS Alliance receives no financial consideration or benefit from any insurance programs, and does not endorse any particular scheme.
INDUSTRY STANDARDS FOR SAFETY TRAINING
The Industry Standard for Safety Training (ISST) is a baseline curriculum for safety training courses for journalists that is recognised by the news media industry. The ISST is a result of a consultation process involving stakeholders from the news media industry and not-for-profit journalism organisations that sought to build consensus around safety training standards.
Publishing agreements have a direct impact on the safety of freelance journalists. Access here a template and some useful information that help freelancers and news organizations to be better prepared.
NEWS ORGANIZATIONS SAFETY SELF-ASSESSMENT
Developed by the Alliance and key signatories, this resource provides a tool for news outlets to review and improve their current safety practices and protocols. Available in English, Arabic, Spanish and French.
FREELANCE JOURNALIST SAFETY CHECKLIST
The ACOS Alliance strives to empower both news organizations and freelance journalists to embed the highest safety standards into their work. Our Safety Checklist ensures that relevant safety issues have been discussed before an assignment.
The following ACOS signatory organizations have all pledged their support for the protection of freelance journalists and each offer a variety of different safety resources for journalists and their families to utilize.
