If you’re a U.S.-based journalist or news outlet at risk for your work and need one-on-one safety support, email the Election Urgent Care safety helpline at urgentcare@electionsos.org and include “SAFETY” in the subject line. A collaboration among the Knight Election Hub, PEN America and a team of experienced safety experts and organizations, the helpline provides support for digital, physical, psychosocial and legal concerns — from dealing with doxing, threats and arrests to preparing for risky assignments.
Who can access safety support? U.S.-based journalists and news outlets at risk for their work, including for coverage of election-related issues and national, state or local politics.
How to request safety support? Journalists and news outlets can email urgentcare@electionsos.org with the word “SAFETY” in the subject line. IMPORTANT NOTE: Let us know you’re facing a safety concern and need support, but please DO NOT describe any safety issues in detail over email. A care coordinator will reach out as soon as possible to set up a secure communication channel. Support is available in English and may be available in Spanish and Arabic, depending on need.
What kinds of safety support? Safety experts can provide free one-on-one consults to journalists and news outlets on digital, physical, psychological, and legal risks and concerns, both proactively and reactively — from preparing for or responding to coordinated harassment campaigns, doxing, hacking, threats and arrests to improving safety and security for risky assignments.
When is support available? The helpline is available through the Inauguration (1/20/25) and staffed Monday through Friday.
Who is providing safety support? In collaboration with the Knight Election Hub, PEN America’s digital safety team joined forces with safety advisors Yemile Bucay, Jeje Mohamed and Ramy Ghaly to pull together an experienced group of safety experts from the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Women’s Media Foundation, Freedom of the Press Foundation, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and Aegis Safety Alliance.
