Journalist Safety
Preparing journalists for today’s operational risks
Reporting from challenging environments has never been more demanding. While conflict zones remain dangerous, today’s journalists are just as likely to encounter surveillance, intimidation, organised crime, civil unrest, arbitrary detention, hostile crowds, digital threats or medical emergencies while covering elections, investigations, environmental issues, organised crime or humanitarian crises.
The Lazarus Journalist Safety Programme (LJSP) helps media organisations prepare their staff and freelance contributors to work safely, confidently and professionally in these complex environments.
Our approach is practical, realistic and evidence-based. Rather than focusing solely on battlefield survival, we prepare journalists for the situations they are most likely to face during international assignments and domestic reporting in higher-risk environments.
A practical approach to journalist safety
Effective preparation is about far more than learning a collection of techniques. It is about developing the judgement, confidence and practical skills needed to make sound decisions under pressure.
Our programmes combine:
- Personal safety and situational awareness
- Risk assessment methodology
- Medical and trauma care
- Digital awareness
- Travel and deployment planning
- Communications and emergency procedures
- Decision-making under pressure
- Scenario-based practical exercises
Every programme is designed around realistic situations, encouraging participants to think, communicate and respond as they would during a genuine assignment.
Built on operational experience
Lazarus Training has delivered specialist training internationally for governments, police services, humanitarian organisations and media organisations operating in complex environments.
Our journalist safety programmes draw upon operational experience gained across Europe, Africa and Asia, including work supporting journalists and media professionals in Kosovo, the Philippines, Ghana and Central Asia.
Independent coverage of our work has been published by international organisations, government agencies and national media, reflecting our commitment to delivering practical, high-quality training.
Our services
The Journalist Safety Programme includes a range of services that can be delivered individually or as part of a wider organisational development programme.
FIRM – First Integrity and Resilience for Media
Our flagship four-day programme equips journalists with the practical knowledge, medical skills and personal safety techniques needed to prepare for higher-risk assignments. When delivered through an interpreter, the programme may be extended to five days to allow sufficient time for practical learning.
Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT)
Preparing journalists for work in conflict zones and hostile environments through realistic scenario-based training.
Medical Training
Practical emergency care programmes for journalists working in remote, austere or higher-risk environments.
Training Needs Analysis
Helping organisations understand their current capability, identify gaps and develop proportionate training programmes.
Risk Assessment Workshops
Supporting editors, managers and journalists to develop practical risk assessment processes for international assignments.
Policy and Procedure Development
Working with organisations to strengthen the practical procedures that support safe international reporting, including assignment planning, communications and emergency arrangements.
Who we work with
Our programmes are suitable for:
- Broadcasters
- News organisations
- Freelance journalist networks
- Documentary production companies
- Media development organisations
- Journalism schools and universities
- Non-governmental organisations supporting journalists
Training can be delivered in the UK or internationally and tailored to reflect local operating environments, organisational policies and participant experience.
Why Lazarus?
Our instructors combine operational experience with professional training expertise. We believe that effective journalist safety training should be practical, realistic and directly relevant to the environments journalists are working in today.
Rather than delivering generic security advice, we focus on preparing people to recognise risk early, make informed decisions and respond effectively when incidents occur.
Whether supporting an individual deployment or developing the capability of an entire organisation, our aim is simple:
To help journalists return home safely while continuing to report the stories that matter.
Talk to us
Every organisation faces different challenges.
If you are developing a journalist safety programme, reviewing your current training provision or planning work in higher-risk environments, we’d be pleased to discuss how Lazarus can support your organisation.