Straight From The Frontline

UPDATE: We are now delivering 3-day battlefield first aid and security courses in Lviv, for Ukrainian and freelance journalists, with the funds donated here. 

Students get given a free first aid pack, put together by experts at World Extreme Medicine, get taught how to properly use it and are then instructed on how to reduce the risk of having to do so.

We will keep training journalists to keep safe in Ukraine every weekend until we run out of funds and we desperately need the money coming in to do this.

£100 pays for a first aid pack.
£300 will train a journalist to keep safer. It costs more than £2,000 per person for an equivalent course in the UK.

Please fund a course and/or a first aid pack. You may save a life.

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Straight From The Frontline is a vital new initiative to provide urgent and practical support to those risking their lives for the truth in Ukraine and beyond.

 

Independent reporting has never been so important. As the shockingly destructive invasion of Ukraine continues, there is a second war being waged: a war against information, truth and independent reporting.

 

What is unfolding in Ukraine, in Russia and in Belarus, is a conflict that threatens to radically alter the future for us all. It is crucial that the world is provided with the facts to understand what is really going on. Censorship and propaganda are weapons that have proven to be as powerful as any others in war, but this time, those that seek to control and manipulate us with misinformation cannot be allowed to win.

 

We must act fast: freelance journalists and video reporters are already being killed and captured. In a world where barefaced lies are being deliberately spread, and have been dangerously gathering public purchase, they are risking their lives in Ukraine’s cities under siege to make the real truth heard. We must do what we can to keep them as safe as possible and ensure that their work gets out and is widely seen.

The Frontline Club is the home of The Frontline Freelance Register (FFR), which is already setup both to represent and support international conflict freelancer reporters, photographers and video journalists (frontlinefreelance.org).

 

Through "#Straight From The Frontline" we are raising funds to expand our capacity, with FFR, to undertake urgent safeguarding activities in Ukraine. These funds will enable us to:

 

1. Provide a 24/7 home base for all freelancers in or going to Ukraine, delivering the support functions that a staff journalist would normally get from their employer and more:

- Checking in daily from the field, alerting others if they go missing and aiding field collaboration

- Holding next of kin details

- Sourcing equipment as needed

- Awarding direct financial grants to underpin safe practice

- Assisting in the distribution of their content to allow them to focus on fieldwork

- Assisting in the verification of work where in case it is challenged

- Providing press cards

- Providing safety and first aid equipment

- Continuing to be a collective voice to represent their interests

- Promoting them to raise their profiles professionally

 

2. Liaising with all other relevant groups to reduce duplicated efforts and build collaboration. This will include media organisations, news safety outfits, logistical specialists and volunteers.

 

3. Using our connections to determine and provide whatever possible to support Ukrainian journalists. They have a particularly important role in ensuring the safety of international and freelance journalists, who they often work alongside, as well as the best access to events on the ground. We have so far identified the following needs and this list will expand as we communicate further.

Please help us deliver this and don't forget to tick the Gift Aid boxes (if you pay UK tax) when you donate.

Many thanks.