In February 2024, the International Women’s Media Foundation launched the Newsroom Safety Across America Initiative to provide safety training to journalists ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential elections. The IWMF trained more than 600 journalists representing 200 local and regional news outlets in battleground states and rural areas as newsrooms grappled with ongoing safety challenges. As part of this effort, IWMF collected in-depth survey data and interviews from training participants and launched the report, “Journalists Under Fire: US Media Report Daily Threats, Harassment and Attacks at Home”. The data revealed a shocking number of threats to American journalists’ safety and well-being. Journalists reported incidents ranging from physical violence and harassment to threats of gun violence, verbal attacks and sexual harassment while on assignment and in the workplace.
The IWMF is committed to improving the safety of journalists in the United States and will continue to provide wraparound care for small newsrooms and journalists looking for resources and knowledge to implement best practices and safety policies. This can include virtual safety trainings, safety consultations, assistance developing and implementing safety policies, and emergency assistance grants when needed.
If you are a newsroom or freelance journalist interested in training or policies covering safety, please fill out this intake form.
Additional resources:
- One-on one safety consultation form
- Emergency fund intake form for U.S. based journalists
- Newsroom Policy Guide (Spanish) & Protecting Freelance Journalists Guide
- Mental Health Guide (Spanish)
Please reach out to programs@iwmf.org if you have any questions or accessibility needs. For legal support please contact the Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press at their free legal hotline (1-800-336-4243). The hotline is available 24/7.
About the IWMF's Safety Work
As the leading provider of identity-informed, holistic safety training and resources for journalists and newsrooms – with a focus on women and nonbinary reporters – in the U.S. and globally, the IWMF has trained thousands of journalists to enhance their safety online and offline.
The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) and UNESCO are leading a programme which aims to improve the mental resilience of journalists, including women journalists, by enhancing their access to psychological support and resources to help mitigate the effects of violence. In 2025, the IWMF will partner with Vinland Solutions to lead a six-month virtual training program for 20 clinicians from the different regions to identify and tackle the adverse effects of physical and online violence against journalists.
The program seeks to ensure that journalists can continue to perform their vital role in democratic societies, free from violence and intimidation, by fostering safety policies, providing customized safety training, and facilitating access to mental health services.
The clinical psychologists and/or psychiatrists selected for this program commit to dedicating 8 online hours per week for 6 months. At the end of the program the participating clinicians will lead workshops with journalists from different regions.
The modules covered during this program include:
- PSYCHOEMOTIONAL PREPARATION AND MENTAL HEALTH OF THERAPISTS
- GENERAL THEORETICAL CONCEPTS
- THEORETICAL AND TECHNICAL PSYCHOANALYTICAL CONCEPTS
- THEORETICAL AND TECHNICAL CONCEPTS OF CONTEXTUAL AND 3rd GENERATION THERAPY.
- BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS
- BASIC PROTOCOLS AND HOW TO USE THEM
- COMPLEMENTARY PROTOCOLS AND HOW TO USE THEM
The program will include presentation, open group discussions, and interactive exercises that allow the participants to incorporate their knowledge from previous clinical experience. The program will also cover topics described in the Guide for psychologists in the emergency care of journalists and Emergency psychotherapeutic intervention protocol for journalists: single session.
Applications will be selected based on the following skills and competencies:
- Advanced Knowledge in Clinical Psychology: Extensive knowledge in the evaluation and treatment of psychological disorders.
- Proficiency in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Techniques: Experience in applying CBT for PTSD treatment.
- Communication Skills: Ability to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues.
- Empathy and Sensitivity: Ability to handle emotional situations and provide psychological support.
Only clinical psychologists and/or psychiatrists from the following countries can apply for this opportunity:
- Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Honduras, Mexico, Haiti, El Salvador, Ecuador, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Guyana
- Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia
- Philippines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Maldives, Timor-Leste
- Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, Somalia, Namibia
- Iraq, Lebanon
Deadline: April 20, 2025 at 11:59pm Eastern Daylight Time (Washington DC time)
A total of 20 clinical psychologists and/or psychiatrists will be selected on a rolling-basis.
The IWMF is accepting applications in English and Spanish.
Based on the clinical psychologists and/or psychiatrists selected, the IWMF will ensure that the training is accessible to the language abilities of the participants.
Please reach out to programs@iwmf.org if you have any questions or accessibility needs.
International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) y la UNESCO lideran un proyecto que tiene como objetivo mejorar la resiliencia mental de los periodistas, incluyendo la de las mujeres periodistas, mediante el fortalecimiento de su acceso a apoyo psicológico y recursos para mitigar los efectos de la violencia. En 2025, la IWMF, en colaboración con Vinland Solutions, llevará a cabo un programa de capacitación virtual de seis meses dirigido a 20 psicólogos clínicos y psiquiatras provenientes de diferentes regiones, enfocado en identificar y abordar los efectos adversos de la violencia física y en línea contra periodistas, con énfasis en mujeres periodistas.
El programa busca garantizar que los periodistas puedan continuar desempeñando su papel fundamental en las sociedades democráticas, libres de violencia e intimidación, mediante el fomento de políticas de seguridad de los periodistas, dando capacitación personalizada en entrenamiento de seguridad y facilitando el acceso a servicios de salud mental.
Los psicólogos clínicos y psiquiatras seleccionados para este programa se deben comprometer a dedicar 8 horas semanales en línea durante 6 meses. Al finalizar el programa, los participantes liderarán talleres dirigidos a periodistas de diferentes regiones.
Los módulos cubiertos durante este programa incluyen:
- PREPARACIÓN PSICOEMOCIONAL Y SALUD MENTAL PARA TERAPEUTAS
- CONCEPTOS TEÓRICOS GENERALES
- CONCEPTOS TEÓRICOS Y TÉCNICOS DE PSICOANÁLISIS
- CONCEPTOS TEÓRICOS Y TÉCNICOS DE TERAPIAS CONTEXTUALES Y DE 3RA GENERACIÓN
- ASPECTOS BIOQUÍMICOS
- PROTOCOLOS BÁSICOS Y CÓMO USARLOS
- PROTOCOLOS COMPLEMENTARIOS Y CÓMO USARLOS
El programa incluirá presentaciones, discusiones grupales abiertas y ejercicios interactivos que permitan a los participantes integrar su conocimiento a partir de experiencias clínicas previas. Además, el programa cubrirá temas descritos en la Guía para psicólogos en la atención de emergencia a periodistas y el Protocolo de intervención psicoterapéutica de emergencia para periodistas: sesión única. (Emergency psychotherapeutic intervention protocol for journalists: single session.)
Las solicitudes serán seleccionadas con base en las siguientes habilidades y competencias:
- Conocimientos avanzados en Psicología Clínica: Conocimientos amplios en la evaluación y el tratamiento de trastornos psicológicos.
- Dominio de técnicas de Terapia Cognitiva-Conductual (TCC): Experiencia en la aplicación de TCC para el tratamiento del Trastorno Post Estrés Traumáticio (TEPT).
- Habilidades de comunicación: Facilidad de comunicación efectiva con pacientes y colegas.
- Empatía y sensibilidad: Habilidad para manejar situaciones emocionales y brindar apoyo psicológico.
Sólo psicólogos clínicos y psiquiatras de los siguientes países pueden aplicar:
- América Latina y el Caribe: Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Honduras, México, Haití, El Salvador, Ecuador, Jamaica, Trinidad y Tobago, Brasil, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Guyana.
- Europa del Este: Moldavia, Bosnia y Herzegovina, Macedonia del Norte.
- Asia: Filipinas, Indonesia, Bangladés, Pakistán, Maldivas, Timor-Oriental.
- África: Costa de Marfil, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Sudán del Sur, República Centroafricana, República Democrática del Congo, Kenia, Nigeria, Malí, Somalia, Namibia.
- Medio Oriente y el Magreb: Irak, Líbano.
Fecha límite: 20 de abril del 2025 a las 11:59pm (hora de Washington DC)
Se seleccionará un total de 20 psicólogos clínicos y psiquiatras y los resultados serán anunciados de forma continua..
La IWMF aceptará solicitudes en inglés y español.
Con base en los psicólogos clínicos y psiquiatras seleccionados, la IWMF garantizará que la capacitación sea accesible según las habilidades lingüísticas de los participantes.
Para cualquier pregunta o necesidad relacionada con accesibilidad, por favor contacta a programs@iwmf.org.
The Howard G. Buffett Foundation has given the IWMF a $750,000 grant to establish a three-year fund supporting U.S.-based reporting projects by Indigenous journalists on issues related to Missing & Murdered Indigenous People (MMMIP) with a concentration on women, girls, Two-Spirit and transgender people.
Starting in March 2022, applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis by an advisory committee comprised of distinguished Indigenous practicing journalists and editors, along with Indigenous thought leaders. The IWMF is conducting ongoing, targeted outreach to eligible journalists and Indigenous journalism groups to solicit proposals. Indigenous journalists affiliated with media outlets, as well as freelancers, are invited to apply.
In addition to monetary support, the IWMF is committed to providing editorial and pitching support to grantees.
Please read our FAQ page and Application Guide for the program. Eligible journalists can apply here.
If you are experiencing any accessibility issues with the application process, please contact info@iwmf.org.
The IWMF and its Coalition Against Online Violence partners are offering journalists the opportunity to sign up for free one-on-one safety consultations.
Concerned about a recent threat, online abuse, government surveillance or an upcoming reporting trip? Our experts provide journalists with clear and practical guidance, whether that's dealing with a digital or physical safety emergency or helping you build digital security into your story planning. We are here to help. You must have journalism as a primary profession to be eligible for a consultation.
Please note: this is not an emergency help line. We are unable to provide rapid response support.
To apply for a consultation, please complete this application. If you have any questions, please email digitalsafety@iwmf.org.
If you are experiencing any accessibility issues with the application process, please contact info@iwmf.org.
The Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship gives academic and professional opportunities to women journalists committed to human rights and social justice reporting. During this fellowship, the selected journalist will have the chance to complete research and coursework at MIT’s Center for International Studies and to participate in internships with The Boston Globe and The New York Times.
Eligibility Criteria:
- The Neuffer Fellowship is open to women, nonbinary and gender non-conforming journalists whose work focuses on human rights and social justice issues.
- All applicants for the Neuffer Fellowship must be working journalists with at least three years of full-time, professional journalism experience. Internships and journalism-related work completed as a university student do not count as professional experience. Applicants may be affiliated or freelance journalists.
- Journalists from any country around the world are eligible to apply. However, applicants must speak, read, and write English fluently in order to fully participate in and benefit from the Fellowship.
Accepting Applications:
February 3, 2025 - April 20, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST
Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship Schedule:
June 2025: Elizabeth Neuffer Fellow will be selected
February 2026: Fellowship begins in Boston with an internship at the Boston Globe and research/coursework at MIT’s Center for International Studies
May 2026: Fellow moves to New York for internship at The Express Desk, The New York Times
July 2026: Fellowship ends
Questions
Please review the Frequently Asked Questions page for the Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship before starting your application or contacting the IWMF.
For any inquiries related to the Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship, or if you are experiencing accessibility/connectivity issues, please contact Divya at dtewari@iwmf.org.
This is an application for the United States Journalism Emergency Fund established by the International Women’s Media Foundation and supported by the Luce Foundation and the Ford Foundation. To qualify for this emergency fund, you must be a U.S.-based journalist of any gender targeted as a result of your reporting at events related to the highly charged political unrest and polarization in the U.S., including elections, civil movements and other challenging environments. You may request support for:
- Immediate needs related to your professional work, such as destroyed or stolen equipment and protective gear;
- Small grants for medical and psychological care for incidents directly related to threats and crises caused by one’s work as a journalist.
Please note that emergency grants are not available to student journalists
Applicants must provide proof of their financial need. Funding is available to both staff journalists and those working independently. To request assistance from the IWMF’s United States Journalism Emergency Fund, please complete this preliminary questionnaire. Requests that do not meet the criteria above will not be considered.
For legal support if you have been arrested or face immediate threat of arrest, please contact the Reporters Committee for the Freedom of the Press at their free legal hotline (1-800-336-4243). The hotline is available 24/7.
If you have any questions relating to the IWMF’s United States Journalism Emergency Fund, please email assistance@iwmf.org.