Resources for journalists covering the protests

This is your comprehensive guide to navigating and reporting on protests during tumultuous times. As protests continue to shape narratives worldwide, journalists play a crucial role in delivering accurate and impactful stories.

We’ve gathered the following resources so you may have them in one place, for quick reference, if needed. We hope you will find them useful.

– The SPJ Toolbox offers several resources:
    • Covering protests and civil unrest
    • Diversity resources
    • First Amendment and free speech resources

– The SPJ Code of Ethics provides guidance on reporting and covering stories accurately, fairly and thoroughly.

– SPJ’s Ethics Hotline is available for journalists facing ethical dilemmas while reporting.

– The SPJ Legal Defense Fund is a unique account that can be tapped for providing journalists with legal or direct financial assistance.

– The International Women’s Media Foundation’s United States Journalism Emergency Fund directly supports U.S. journalists in need.

– The Committee to Protect Journalists offers tips for covering protests.

– Journalists who need assistance can call or email the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press legal hotline at 1-800-336-4243 or [email protected] to reach attorneys.

– RCFP also offers this more in-depth guide to Police, Protesters and the Press.

– Poynter offers this detailed Know Your Rights

– The International Journalists’ Network provides these Mental Health Resources and Tips for Journalists.

– NPPA created this Critical Stress Help Sheet.

– Poynter writes about How Journalists Can Take Care of Themselves While Covering Trauma.

– PEN America on Digital Safety, Privacy & Surveillance for Reporters.

– Student Press Law Center has a guide for students covering protests.

Again, we thank you for your great work and urge you to please be safe. If there is anything else — ANYTHING else — SPJ can do to help or support you, please reach out at [email protected] or call (317) 927-8000.

Sincerely and in solidarity,

Society of Professional Journalists