The 60-Minute Journalist Safety Net: Build Your Emergency Plan Before You Need It
A simple hour could make all the difference in a crisis
Why It’s Important
In response to escalating global threats and increasing hostility toward journalists, I’m pausing my regular content this month to focus on a critical issue: how reporters, investigative journalists, and independent media professionals can better safeguard themselves, their sources, and their work. This is the final article in a month-long series published every Wednesday, offering practical security strategies tailored to the unique risks journalists face. While anyone concerned about privacy will benefit, these posts are designed to defend press freedom and protect those on the front lines. In the field, journalists face unpredictable situations—from physical detainment to digital surveillance. Whether you're reporting from a protest, conflict zone, or a quiet local council meeting, knowing how to respond to an emergency isn't just helpful—it’s critical. Having a basic emergency plan not only protects your safety, but also preserves the integrity of your reporting and the privacy of your sources.
What It Is / How It Works
This one-hour plan gives journalists a practical framework to prepare for emergencies—no special tools, no deep tech skills required. It breaks your preparation into four focused sections: critical contacts, emergency funds, secure communications, and location tracking. These actions are designed to cover both physical and digital threats, giving you (and your editor or family) a clear path forward if things go sideways.
How to Mitigate It
Here's how to break it down into four 15-minute steps:
1. Key Contacts (15 minutes)
Legal Help: Save a press-friendly lawyer’s contact (e.g., Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press) in your phone and write it down on a card in your wallet.
Newsroom/Emergency Backup: Designate one trusted, out-of-region contact who can act as your coordinator if you're unreachable.
Family/Friends: Decide who should be informed in a crisis—and who shouldn’t. Pre-define this list to avoid confusion or unintended leaks.
2. Bailout Funds (10 minutes)
Cash Reserve: Keep $200–$500 in small bills hidden away from your main wallet—such as a secure drawer, backup bag, or with a trusted friend.
Prepaid Option: Alternatively, use a prepaid debit card that’s not linked to your name or bank account, ideal for discretion.
3. Burner Comms (15 minutes)
Secure Comms: Install Sessions. It’s free, end-2-end encryption, no phone number required, disappearing messages and used globally for secure journalist communication. Enable pin lock after installation.
Codeword System: Set a neutral phrase with your editor like “Is the draft filed?” to signal distress without raising suspicion.
Encrypted Backups: Store sensitive credentials and contact lists in Proton Drive or on a USB thumb drive with AES encryption (like Veracrypt).
4. Location Tracking (10 minutes)
Temporary Sharing: Use apps like Google Maps, WhatsApp, or Apple’s Find My to share your live location with one reliable contact.
Check-in Time: Set a daily “all-clear” hour—such as “If you don’t hear from me by 8 PM, follow up.”
👉 Download the checklist here on Gumroad and take control of your privacy.
How to Configure or Use This Plan
Session Setup: Download the app, enable the app lock (PIN or biometric) for local message encryption, and in settings, toggle 'Screen Security' to prevent screenshots within the app.
Google Maps Sharing: Tap your profile → Location Sharing → Share with specific contact → Choose duration (e.g., 1 hour or until turned off).
Prepaid Debit Cards: Purchase at major retailers or banks; activate online without tying it to a permanent bank account.
USB Encryption: Use Veracrypt to create a hidden volume, and store only non-public information on it.
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This Plan Works Offline and Under Pressure
What stands out about this system is that it’s designed to work with minimal power, no Wi-Fi, and under stress. You don’t need advanced tools or infrastructure. If you’re covering a protest and your phone dies, the written lawyer contact and cash stash still have your back. It's lightweight but powerful—exactly what you want in an emergency.
Protect Yourself Before You Press “Record”
This isn’t about being paranoid—it’s about being prepared. Whether you're a freelancer in a high-risk zone or a beat reporter in your hometown, building a safety net in just 60 minutes is one of the most professional things you can do.
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