n 2001, CPJ created the Journalist Assistance Program to provide direct assistance to journalists whose needs could not be addressed by advocacy alone—journalists who must go into hiding or exile to escape threats; journalists in need of medicine and other material support in prison; and journalists injured after violent attacks, to give some examples. Since then we have helped more than 250 journalists from 49 countries.
The program helps journalists through a combination of financial and non-financial assistance. CPJ maintains a distress fund through which it dispenses emergency grants to journalists. The program also raises funds for journalists from outside sources and collaborates with other free expression organizations. When necessary, CPJ lobbies governments or international agencies to help secure refugee or asylum status for journalists and provides logistical support to journalists when they resettle in exile. We also refer journalists to resources, including information on grants, fellowships, and awards.
CPJ steps in when journalists are in dire situations as a result of persecution for their work. Some examples of our work in the last year include:
- Helping get medical care for journalists following brutal assaults in retaliation for their work and journalists suffering from mistreatment in prison.
- Supporting journalists forced to go into hiding or to relocate within their countries to escape threats from local officials, militia, or criminal gangs.
- Contributing to legal funds for journalists facing prison.
- Evacuating journalists at risk into temporary havens.
- Providing support for families of imprisoned journalists.
Our staff carefully vets all assistance cases. Due to the high volume of requests, we are not able to respond to everyone who needs our help. CPJ does not provide funding for organizations, media outlets, or media projects, and we do not offer professional training or scholarships.
| For inquiries or requests, please contact:
The Committee to Protect Journalists 330 Seventh Avenue, 11th floor New York, NY 10001 Tel: +1 (212) 465-1004 x 146 Fax: +1 (212) 465-9568 Attn: Journalist Assistance Program Email: JournAsst@cpj.org Expedite by downloading and completing CPJ’s assistance request form (pdf). |
f you are interested in helping CPJ Journalist Assistance Program, please contact us. Here are some ways you can get involved:
- Donate to CPJ’s distress fund for journalists. The fund provides emergency grants to journalists facing persecution for their work.
- Help sponsor the family of a journalist imprisoned for his work. When a journalist is jailed, his or her family is often left destitute. A little support can have a large impact on these shattered lives.
- Let us know if you have computers, media equipment or other in-kind donations you would like to pass on to a journalist in need, or pro-bono services you can to offer.
- Contact us if you plan to travel to countries where journalists are imprisoned or attacked. You can volunteer to help local journalists.
- Help welcome or professionally mentor a journalist in exile in your area. Contact us for details.
- Publicize the plights of journalists facing persecution around the world. If you would like to interview, book a speaking engagement, or publish work by a journalist assisted by CPJ, contact the Journalist Assistance Program.
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The Fixers (pdf): CPJ examines the growing role and growing risks of "fixers."
In Exile (pdf): Forced to flee, journalists find both freedom and problems.
Lucky to Be Alive (pdf): How one Haitian journalist survived an assassination attempt.
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“I have never forgotten that you always stood by me. ... I have no words express my appreciation and thanks,” Habetamu Assefa, Ethiopian journalist and press freedom activist forced into exile.
“Just a note of thanks to all of CPJ for your support, which came at a time when we had the impression of being completely discouraged and suddenly alone. CPJ’s gesture of solidarity encouraged me to return to my country and to continue the fight for freedom of expression,” Donat M'baya Tshimanga, president of Congolese press freedom organization Journalists en Danger, who received help from CPJ to go into temporary exile after receiving death threats.
“I have been here only 24 hours, but you cannot imagine the tranquility I feel since I set foot in the airplane to this destination. Nothing remains but to thank CPJ. A thousand thanks,” Colombian journalist Jenny Manrique who received death threats from paramilitaries. CPJ helped arrange a temporary safe haven.
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