The aim of the training is to provide better security for journalists by focusing on reinforcing physical, psychological, legal and digital safety protocols in newsrooms. It also highlighted the need to take into account gender-differentiated threats in safety protocols and practices, in line with UNESCO’s continuous support to Palestinian media organizations, which includes initiatives to promote freedom of expression and the safety of journalists.

Mr. Junaid Sorosh-Wali, Officer-in-Charge of UNESCO National Office to Palestine stated that these training sessions for safety focal points within media organizations are part of the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists that UNESCO has been mandated to lead. He stressed that it will improve mechanisms for journalists on dangerous assignments, more rigorous security assessments, protocols and systems to enhance the safety of both their staff. He further continued saying that the establishment of a network of safety officers will allow for the exchange of information and good practices among media organizations and create opportunities for collaboration and mutual support.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Nasser Abu Baker, Head of the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate highlighted the importance of this initiative and its impact on the safety and ethical and professional performance of journalists in the field, ensuring their preparedness in a high-risk profession. He further stated that this is the beginning of improved safety procedures in the Palestinian Media sector in general.

A number of journalists who benefited from the safety trainings and who will be part of the Safety Officers Network, welcomed this necessary initiative, which will further enhance the safety of journalists in the field.

Within the Palestinian context, safety clearly stands as one of the major challenges affecting journalists and media workers. UNESCO fully recognizes the extent of these challenges and has therefore made the safety of journalists one of its priority areas of intervention, within the framework of the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists.

For more information on UNESCO’s activities in Palestine, please visit us on : Unesco Ramallah Office

For more information on this event, please contact: Majd Beltaji, Public Information Officer of the UNESCO Ramallah Office, at m.beltaji(at)unesco.org