About the programme
Since 2023, the ACOS (A Culture of Safety) Alliance, IFEX, the International Women’s Media Foundation and Media Defence have been working together to create lasting solutions for journalists’ safety.
By leveraging their combined expertise and resources, diverse perspectives and global networks, the Safety In Numbers (SIN) programme aims to build a robust, sustainable ecosystem for the protection of journalists and media workers worldwide.
This page provides a summary of the SIN programme’s objectives and activities. If you would like to know more about a specific activity or organisation, please contact us.
Journalism under siege
Media professionals and news organisations around the world are facing increasing threats and attacks, both online and offline. The situation is particularly critical for those with marginalised identities (such as women, LGBTQIA+, racial and ethnic minorities and persons with disabilities), who often experience more extreme harassment and abuse.
- Journalists face threats to their digital and physical safety, through online harassment, smear campaigns, cyber-attacks, doxxing, surveillance and blocked accounts.
- Governments are increasingly using legal measures to silence journalists, who often lack the legal support to defend themselves due to a lack of experienced lawyers and funding.
- Financial difficulties, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic crises, make journalists and media outlets more vulnerable to threats.
- A lack of accountability for those who attack journalists is widespread, leading to a culture of impunity.
A radical reset is needed, and this demands a global, coordinated strategy.
It is in this context that the Safety in Numbers programme was born.
A safety net for media professionals
A collaborative effort of four feminist-led organisations – ACOS Alliance, IFEX, International Women’s Media Foundation, and Media Defence – Safety in Numbers is supporting free and independent media in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean by creating a safe environment for journalists.
Our focus is on enhancing a culture of safety through the cooperation of media organisations, civil society, and legal experts.
Drawing on the expertise and networks of our organisations, we are developing a holistic safety net through a rights-based, feminist approach that ensures the inclusion of women and vulnerable groups. In addition, through our combined connections with over 375 partners in more than 115 countries, the programme integrates diverse perspectives and resources to build a robust, sustainable ecosystem for the protection of journalists.
We are committed to strengthening existing initiatives and networks. We seek to deepen relationships, align mechanisms, and expand connections to better understand local journalist safety priorities, enhance knowledge sharing among safety experts, and enable strategic advocacy and programmatic support.
By fostering more organised and strategic engagement with regional and international mechanisms and supportive governments, Safety in Numbers demonstrates the power of civil society organisations working together to address global challenges and create lasting solutions for journalist safety.
What we’re doing
Improving the security practices of news organisations
- We are working with newsrooms and journalists to help them implement effective holistic safety policies and protocols, including risk management strategies, to ensure that journalists, including those in exile and members of marginalised communities, are better protected and prepared to withstand the digital, physical, legal and psychosocial threats they face in the course of their work.
Strengthening responses to repressive legislation
- We are contributing to improved multi-stakeholder advocacy and campaigns and stronger legal cases to counter repressive laws and regulations.
Increasing coordination and knowledge sharing
- We are supporting the establishment or strengthening of structures and systems for multi-stakeholder cooperation, including with media and civil society, through existing international networks, coalitions, and mechanisms.
Who we are
ACOS Alliance is a unique global coalition of 155+ news organisations, journalist associations and press freedom NGOs working together to embed a culture of safety within journalism.
IFEX is the leading global network of over 100 member organisations that defend and promote the right to freedom of expression and information.
International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) is the only global organisation built to serve the holistic needs of women and nonbinary journalists.
Media Defence is an international human rights organisation that provides critical legal defence to journalists, citizen journalists and independent media who are under threat for their reporting, globally.
The programme’s funder
Want to learn more?
You can reach us at info@ifex.org.