By Seli Baisie
Senior Project Officer for Journalist Safety and Emergency Assistance at Free Press Unlimited, Ana Isabel Alduenda, has disclosed that financial support is available to help journalists enhance their skills, improve safety, and replace equipment lost or damaged in the line of duty.
She made this known during a high-level panel discussion on “Safety of journalists and political accountability” held as part of the Media Foundation for West Africa’s (MFWA) conference on “Journalism and Digital Public Infrastructure” at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on October 10, 2025.
The session was moderated by Dora Boamah Mawutor, Programme Director for Freedom of Expression and Digital Rights at MFWA.
Ana Isabel Alduenda explained that Free Press Unlimited’s Reporters Respond Fund provides emergency financial assistance to journalists, media workers, and press freedom advocates facing high-risk situations or emergencies related to their work.
“Our programme offers financial support to journalists facing emergencies or risks,” Ms Alduenda said. “It can be used for preventive measures, such as safety training, personal protective equipment, or digital protection tools, particularly for those working in conflict areas.”
According to her, the fund also covers relocation and living expenses for journalists who face imminent threats, ensuring that they and their families remain protected.
“When journalists are imprisoned or threatened and are the sole breadwinners, their families often remain vulnerable,” she noted. “That is why the grants can also support family members, relocation costs, and even legal representation for journalists facing persecution or strategic lawsuits.”
The Senior Project Officer for Journalist Safety and Emergency Assistance further highlighted that the programme extends to medical assistance for journalists injured while performing their duties and helps replace work equipment lost or confiscated due to professional activities.
“The fund ensures that journalists can continue their work safely. It can cover lost equipment or provide medical aid for injuries sustained while reporting,” she added.
Ayomide Eweje, Programme Officer at Media Rights Agenda from Nigeria, shared experiences of the growing risks journalists face, including harassment, intimidation, and weak enforcement of laws protecting press freedom.
She emphasised that state actors must be held accountable for violations against journalists and that governments should strengthen mechanisms for justice and protection.
Participants agreed that initiatives like the Reporters Respond Fund play a crucial role in protecting journalists, particularly in environments where press freedom remains under threat.
Ms Alduenda encouraged journalists to access the fund through the Free Press Unlimited website, noting that it is a valuable resource for those at risk due to their professional work.
“This fund exists to ensure journalists can keep doing their job, informing the public, without fear for their safety or livelihood,” she said.
The conference brought together journalists, digital rights advocates, and policymakers from across Africa to discuss how digital public infrastructure can be leveraged to promote accountability, inclusion, and media freedom across the continent.
