Target Group: Media outlets

For those at risk, the helpline offers guidance to strengthen digital security practices and avoid potential threats. In cases of active attacks, it provides rapid-response emergency assistance.

Legal representation and trial monitoring; Humanitarian assistance and dependent support; Equipment replacement if confiscated or damaged; Improving physical security of home or office; Medical expenses, including psycho-social support; Temporary relocation, including for dependents affected by the threat.

If confronted with legal action as a result of the reporting: Funding for legal defence; Advice to find a lawyer; Technical legal support to lawyer; Support to bring legal action to compel the state to protect the journalist’s rights if they have been violated, including to investigate abuses and bring perpetrators of attacks to justice.

Free legal support if you are based in England or Wales. Barristers can: Represent you in any court/tribunal; Give legal advice in a meeting or over the phone; Give legal advice in writing; Draft documents such as skeleton arguments.

Replacement of hardware or software which has been taken, lost or stolen. Purchase of more secure hard- and/or software and costs related to installation of the new systems. Technical or non-technical activities to respond to urgent issues such as internet blockages. Measures to improve physical security (related to information management and digital security). Measures to address the psychological and psychosocial impacts of digital threats and risks.

First priority funding: Protection and media equipment purchases and delivery to Ukraine Direct operational and financial support to media in Ukraine Long-term needs: Support for media staff relocation to EU countries Setting up offices and accommodation of media staff in EU countries

Safety measures in the form of temporary national or, if necessary, international relocation of the defender and/or their family members. Subsistence assistance, meeting the most basic needs of the defender and/or family members. Medical assistance when the defender has been attacked or to cover medical needs related to their commitment. Legal aid, covering legal costs when the defender is prosecuted or has taken legal action.

Legal assistance, rendered voluntarily and free of charge

Financial support to cover lawyer’s fees and assistance in accessing relevant legal representation; General guidance; Access to expertise in policy and law making; Engagement in national or international litigation; Provision of independent analysis, observation or advocacy around a case.    

Support for litigation of a case through multiple instances, from first instance through to the final appeal. Example: a challenge before the European Court of Human Rights against police use of facial recognition technology.

To initiate and support legal proceedings of a fundamental nature that continue to allow the professional group to do its work as freely as possible; Defending freedom of the press in the broadest sense of the word to make funds available for conducting fundamental proceedings, which should enable the freedom of the press of the Dutch media and more specifically the operation of those media in the most optimal unhindered conditions

Protection Grants can pay for provisions to improve the security and protection of human rights defenders and their organisations including, but not limited to: improving physical security of an organisation or individual, digital security and communication security; supporting legal fees for HRDs who are being judicially harassed; paying for medical fees for HRDs who have been attacked or who have suffered a medical condition as a result of their peaceful human rights activities; providing family assistance for imprisoned HRDs or family…

Medical assistance: for injuries sustained in the course of the journalists work; Subsistence costs: short term support for journalists who are not able to work, or costs to temporarily flee an unsafe or vulnerable situation; Legal defense support: legal representation for journalists facing prosecution, disputable lawsuits, or any other form of legal intimidation related to their work; cover the costs of judicial proceedings; assist media workers that have been arbitrarily detained or imprisoned (and their families); Psycho-social support: advice, referral,…