The Council of Europe’s “Journalists Matter” campaign, which completed its first phase – protection – this year, has established a comprehensive range of resources to protect journalists, going beyond advocacy, with concrete tools and emergency support systems.

The campaign, set to run until 2027, will next year focus on the theme of prosecution.

The initiatives under the ‘protection’ pillar target both physical and digital safety, offer mental health resources and provide legal and financial support. By empowering journalists to work securely and effectively, the Council is helping to ensure that freedom of the press remains strong across Europe.

A range of resources have been developed by the Council of Europe (CoE) to safeguard those who uphold the public’s right to know.

Practical training for real-world threats aims at helping journalists deal with an array of hazards, from hostile environments to sophisticated cyber-attacks. The CoE provides hands-on training programmes tailored to address these threats, focusing on physical security, digital safety and legal rights.

Digital Security has become of paramount importance at a time when hacking, surveillance and cyber harassment are on the rise. The Council’s training sessions, aimed at offering journalists’ digital protections include:

Secure Communication Techniques: Reporters learn to use encrypted platforms like Signal to shield their conversations and safeguard their sources.

Device Protection Strategies: Two-factor authentication, anti-phishing tactics and secure device setups are standard elements of this training, equipping journalists to protect themselves online.

Managing Online Harassment: Journalists are frequently targeted by trolls, doxxing and other forms of digital abuse. CoE training provides strategies for handling these threats safely and effectively.

Then there is physical safety. Reporting in high-risk zones – whether at protests or in conflict regions – carries obvious risks and the CoE offers training for navigating such environments.

Risk Assessment Skills: These workshops teach journalists to evaluate potential dangers on the ground, whether they’re covering a demonstration or a humanitarian crisis.

Hostile Environment Training (HET): From self-defence tactics to first aid and situational awareness, HET assists journalists to work safely in unstable or hostile locations.

Crisis Planning: In volatile areas, having a plan is essential. Journalists receive guidance on creating crisis management plans, including evacuation routes and backup communication systems.

Legal Rights Education: Laws governing journalism vary significantly, even across Europe, and understanding legal rights is essential for press freedom. The Council’s legal workshops cover defamation and privacy laws, offeringguidance on avoiding legal pitfalls around defamation, privacy and data protection.

Journalists also receive training for dealing with SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) which are often used to intimidate or financially burden journalists. The CoE advises journalists on dealing with such lawsuits.

By teaching journalists about European legal principles and press freedom precedents, the Council strengthens their ability to uphold these rights.

In addition to proactive training, the Council of Europe offers essential support in emergency situations, when immediate action can make a critical difference.

Through partnerships with press freedom organisations, the CoE provides Pro Bono Legal Aid which enables journalists under threat to access free or reduced-cost legal support, helping them navigate urgent legal challenges.

It also has emergency legal defence funds, when journalists are fined or face sudden legal expenses, the Council helps secure financial assistance for legal fees, bail, or fines.

It has also set up the Press Freedom Monitoring Platform which allows journalists to report press freedom violations in real time, helping the CoE and partner organisations respond to threats more swiftly.

For journalists at high risk, the Crisis Relocation and Evacuation Services of the CoE offers assistance for temporary relocation or evacuation to safer regions.

Through the Emergency Evacuation Programmes, journalistsfacing imminent threats receive logistical and financial support to relocate to secure locations. Financial Assistance for Relocation includes grants covering travel, temporary housing and essential living expenses. The CoE also provides safe houses and safe havens through collaboration with NGOs – arranges temporary safe housing until threats subside, allowing journalists to continue working safely.

CoE tools also include psychological support and mental health resources, considering that journalists are often first responders to the world’s most traumatic events. The Council offers mental health resources to support journalists’ resilience such as Trauma-Informed Counseling. Partnering with mental health professionals, the CoE provides specialised counseling for journalists dealing with trauma and stress.

In high-risk or isolated locations, journalists can access remote counseling sessions, ensuring support is available no matter where they are. Group therapy sessions provide a network for journalists to share their experiences, strengthening resilience through community support.

There are also workshops on resilience. Apart from individual counseling, the Council’s workshops on mental resilience focus on stress management through which reporters learn mindfulness techniques and coping strategies to manage stress on the job. With a demanding workload, journalists are encouraged to adopt practices that reduce the risk of burnout, preserving their health and focus.

In addition to these, through its online platform and advocacy initiatives, the CoE has built a central hub for journalists and press freedom advocates across Europe.

It has the Press Freedom Monitoring Platform through which journalists can report incidents of harassment or censorship directly, providing data that helps the Council address press freedom threats.

Real-Time Monitoring tracks threats to journalists across Europe, the platform enabling quick responses and puts pressure on governments to take action. Transparency and Accountability is also used as publicising data on threats encourages governments and institutions to uphold their commitments to press freedom.

The Council’s website, the Online Resource Hub offers journalists downloadable guides, legal resources, and a directory of country-specific safety contacts. Field safety guides, digital security information and country-specific resources are readily accessible online. The hub connects journalists with press freedom organisations across Europe, helping them find local support.

Beyond providing resources, the CoE champions journalists’ rights through public campaigns, promoting awareness of the importance of a free press and the threats journalists face.

Its Public Campaigns for Press Freedom educate the public on the value of press freedom and how they can support it. Educational materials such as infographics, social media content and reports are shared to raise awareness of journalist safety as a democratic issue.

By providing training, emergency support, mental health resources and advocacy, the Council of Europe enables journalists to carry out their vital work safely. As threats to the press persist, these initiatives are more than just resources – they are a lifeline for journalists dedicated to keeping the public informed, holding the powerful accountable and upholding democratic values.

Through “Journalists Matter”, the Council of Europe continues to remind us that protecting journalists is essential to protecting democracy itself.