International Women's Media Foundation

We are delighted to announce that Alicia Chen has been selected as the 2025 Elizabeth Neuffer Fellow by the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF). Alicia, a Taiwanese journalist and filmmaker, will have the opportunity to report on human rights and social justice at news outlets such as The Boston Globe and The New York Times. With over seven years of experience, Alicia has covered critical issues like forced migration and political repression. We also congratulate Aigerim Turgunbaeva from Kyrgyzstan, our 2025 runner-up, for her exceptional work on human rights in Central Asia. #Journalism #IWMF #ElizabethNeufferFellowship

Join us online July 30 for the free webinar “Protecting mental health in the face of online and offline attacks,” part of U.S. Election Safety Summer! This training will discuss how trauma affects journalists, navigating mental health and self-care, and the resources available to journalists. This is part of a series of six 90-minute webinars with safety tools for journalists covering the U.S. election and election-related events organized by the Committee to Protect Journalists, the International Women's Media Foundation and PEN America. Register now: cpj.org/safetysummer6 or https://lnkd.in/eBawUWTd

The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) condemns the sentencing of Alsu Kurmasheva, a dual U.S.-Russian citizen and journalist for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, to 6 1/2 years in a Russian penal colony following a closed-door trial on charges of “fake” journalism. This verdict is a stunning violation of press freedom and an attempt to intimidate and silence independent journalists in Russia. The IWMF demands Kurmsaheva’s immediate and unconditional release and reiterates its call for the U.S. government to designate her as “wrongfully detained”. The IWMF stands in solidarity with Alsu Kurmasheva, her family, and all journalists who face persecution for their commitment to truth and transparency — journalism is not a crime.

We are proud to announce the 2024 Lauren Brown Fellows: • Cerise Castle • Clavel Rangel Jimenez • Wendy Wei • Diana Cervantes • Salgu Wissmath. These outstanding women journalists have been selected to carry forward Lauren Brown's legacy of elevating underrepresented voices in media. The Lauren Brown Fellowship, created in memory of Lauren Alix Brown, a founding editor at Quartz Media, supports the next generation of women journalists from marginalized backgrounds. Each fellow will pursue ambitious reporting projects on underreported issues, supported by professional development opportunities. Lauren was committed to harnessing the power of new media to expose readers to voices traditionally overlooked, and these fellows will continue that important work. Join us in congratulating this year's fellows. We look forward to the important stories and perspectives these talented journalists will bring to light through their work. #LaurenBrownFellowship #IWMF #WomenInJournalism #DiversityInMedia

The IWMF supports the important work of Selina Cheng and stands with the Hong Kong Journalist’s Association. As the Hong Kong government intensifies its campaign to erode press freedom, the risks for independent journalists in the territory are growing. While media suppression intensifies, it’s critical to amplify the voices of those upholding journalistic integrity and civil liberties. Foreign and domestic media in Hong Kong must be allowed to operate freely without retaliation.

Did you know that only 1.8% of all US philanthropic dollars currently go to women's and girls' organizations? The inaugural Giving List Women is shining a spotlight on 48 nonprofits working towards building equity, compassion, and justice for all, including the International Women's Media Foundation (IWMF). The IWMF is proud to be featured alongside other impactful organizations championing women and girls through innovative and disruptive work at local, national, and global levels. Our mission at the IWMF is to empower women and nonbinary journalists with training, opportunities, and support to become leaders in the news industry. We're committed to promoting diverse voices, stories, and perspectives in global news media, addressing the stark imbalance where men dominate 70-85% of news headlines. The Giving List Women, was released in May 2024, aiming to increase the share of philanthropic dollars directed towards organizations focusing on women and girls. This publication is a crucial step in recognizing and supporting the vital work being done to advance gender equity in various fields, including journalism. We invite you to learn more about the IWMF and the other featured organizations here: https://lnkd.in/eEV3kkiT Together, we can work towards a more equitable and representative media landscape. #WomenInJournalism #GenderEquity #GivingListWomen #IWMF

📢 Attention journalists in Austin, TX! we're teaming up with The Texas Tribune for a FREE one-day safety training on August 6, 2024! Limited spots available. Apply by July 31: https://bit.ly/3LNyeUZ Freelance & staff journalists welcome. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your safety skills! #JournalismSafety!

The recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, starkly illustrates the potential for violence at political events in the high-stakes 2024 U.S. election. This incident underscores the significant risks journalists face when covering such gatherings. Surveys conducted by the International Women's Media Foundation reveal a troubling landscape of threats to journalists, ranging from online harassment to physical dangers at rallies. As the election approaches, these threats to reporters pose a significant risk to democratic processes, highlighting the urgent need for journalist safety initiatives. In response to growing demand, the IWMF has expanded their safety training beyond swing states. The Newsroom Safety Across America initiative, launched by the IWMF, aims to equip local journalists with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate election coverage safely and effectively. These efforts are crucial in preparing media professionals for the challenges they may encounter in the increasingly hostile environment surrounding political coverage in the United States. Since March, our team has crossed the nation convening groups of local journalists covering politics, or adjacent beats. This article focuses on two recent tour stops: New York and North Carolina. Along the way, we've trained more than 470 reporters in essential skills like risk assessment, security protocols, legal protection, and mental health support. Teaming with dedicated professionals in mental health, safety, and security, we've gained invaluable insights into the realities of reporting in today’s political climate. Here's what we've learned from our visits across two unique American landscapes:

As the Republican National Convention begins next week, we're reminded of the critical role journalists play in our democracy. Recent surveys reveal alarming threats facing local reporters covering politics and elections in swing states. From online violence to physical intimidation, these challenges underscore the importance of initiatives like IWMF's Newsroom Safety Across America. This program provides essential training and resources to help newsrooms navigate risks and stay safe. As we approach the 2024 elections, supporting press freedom is more crucial than ever. #PressFreedom #Election2024 #RNC2024 #ElectSafely

📢 Attention journalists and media professionals! 📢 Are you ready for convention season? Our new one-pager "ARE YOU CONVENTION READY?" is here to help you stay safe and effective while covering protests during this contentious election year. Key topics covered: 🔹 Before the event preparation 🔹 During the protest strategies 🔹 After-event procedures 🔹 Establishing communication protocols Dive into this essential resource and ensure you're prepared for whatever comes your way. #JournalismSafety #ConventionCoverage #MediaPreparedness #ProtestReporting