Danish journalists support their colleagues in peril

Last year, 46 journalists were killed for doing their job. With funds from Danish journalists, IMS and its partners are working to provide safety for their surviving colleagues who remain in danger around the world

After several days of phone threats, Ahmad, an independent journalist, suffered an acid attack to his face and neck that left him blind on his right eye.

– It has something to do with my reports and videos, he says, claiming no personal animosity against him.

Adin, another independent reporter, was shot at by the police and attacked with a smoke grenade when he tried to escape. He went into hiding with his family after having received repeated death threats.

Ahmad and Adin are not alone. Deadly attacks, threats, imprisonment and harassment target journalists around the world every day. According to Committee to Protect Journalists, 46 journalists and media workers were killed last year for doing their job.

Journalist-to-journalist assistance

To support journalists victimised as a direct result of their journalistic work, IMS has been assisting journalists around the world for several years. In October 2011, the assistance was bolstered with new funds from the Danish Union of Journalists.

Consisting of urgent legal and medical help, financial assistance and evacuation the support is made possible through the Danish union’s so-called safety fund – money donated by Danish journalists in solidarity with their international colleagues under threat. It’s our duty to assist, says Mogens Blicher Bjerregård, President of the Danish Union of Journalists:

– In over a decade, we have been collecting money from our members to help colleagues in peril around the world. It is our duty as a union to help our less fortunate colleagues who face threats on a daily basis.

– It is also one of the core ideas of our international work of solidarity, which ultimately should benefit journalism as a whole, when we put increased focus on the attacks on journalists. The safety fund is one pillar in our efforts that range from putting pressure on governments, over preventative measures to this type of journalist-to-journalist assistance, Mogens Blicher Bjerregård elaborates.

A concerted approach to safety

In collaboration with international journalist assistance organisations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters without Borders, the safety fund has so far provided support to a dozen individual journalists. Jesper Højberg, Executive Director of IMS highlights the importance of combining the most immediate support with skills building of journalists on how to stay safe both online and offline:

– The need for supporting journalists in peril is unfortunately on the rise. In the last six months, through the safety fund we have assisted 12 journalists and their families from 9 countries in fleeing dangerous situations. At the same time, we must continue to provide journalists working in dangerous environments with the skills to protect themselves, for example through secure online communication and practical safety manoeuvres.

In April 2012 the annual collection of funds from the 15.000 members of the Danish Union of Journalists generated 450.000 kroner (approx. 80.000 USD) making it possible to continue the often life-saving support to journalists who need it most.

The safety fund of the Danish Union of Journalists was previously managed by the International Federation of Journalists. Last year IMS was chosen to overtake the management of the funds.

IMS has a strong track record of working for the safety of journalists in countries such as Afghanistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. Read about IMS’ work to strengthen the safety of journalists in The Philippines and Afghanistan.

The names of the journalists in this article have been changed due to safety reasons.