National Safety Mechanisms - United States of America
National Safety Context
According to the Observatory of Killed Journalists there have been 9 killings in the United States of America since 1993. Five (5) of these crimes have been judicially resolved according to the latest Director-General's Report on the Safety of Journalists and the Danger of Impunity. The United States of America responded to the Director-General's request for information on the judicial status of the cases of these killed journalists every year since 2017
There is 1 national safety mechanism being implemented in the United States of America to prevent, protect and prosecute crimes committed against journalists. More information on this initiative is summarised below including relevant links.
Reporters Shield
The Reporters Shield initiative has been active since 2023.
What activities are carried out?
Reporters Shield is an initiative tackling the issue of increasing strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPPs) and implements measures to protect journalists and human rights defenders from them.
Reporters Shield provides journalists and human rights defenders with trainings, resources and pre-publication review to avoid lawsuits.
In the event a lawsuit identified as a SLAPP is filed, Reporters Shield will coordinate the legal representation of the attacked person/organization by connecting them with a pro bono lawyer.
How is it implemented?
The Reporters Shield initiative operates at a national and international level, progressing in phases and currently reviewing applications from organizations around the world. Currently Reporters Shield provides legal assistance to legally registered companies in UK, US, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
Who are the stakeholders?
Reporters Shield is an independent non-profit organisation funded through its members and donors. USAID supports the implementation of the measures for non-U.S. media organisations. Other stakeholders support the implementation of preventative and protective measures for both nationally based and non-U.S. media. These organisations include the Vance Center for International Justice, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, Proskauer, Primmer Piper Eggleston & Cramer PC, and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.
For more specific information on the national safety mechanism in the Unites States of America and those in other countries please follow the links.
