INSI has partnered with UNESCO and TrustLaw, part of the Thomson Reuters Foundation (TRF), to create a practical guide to give journalists the legal tools they need to deal with online harassment. The Know Your Rights (KYR) guide is a legal manual for journalists worldwide to use, launched at the TRF Trust Conference 2021.

Online harassment targeting journalists specifically is on the rise, in both frequency and intensity. Most journalists by now have experienced firsthand what it’s like to be abused or threatened online. The impact on individuals and the whole profession is devastating, leading many to describe online harassment as one of the most serious threats to press freedom globally today.

The KYR guide addresses this, providing clear guidance on how journalists can begin to tackle this significant issue. It details the steps that journalists can take to identify serious offences, gather the correct evidence and file legal complaints where necessary. It also provides relevant examples of past litigations initiated by journalists after they were harassed online, and advice on the different organisations that journalists can contact for further assistance.

The guide covers the legal rights of journalists in Australia, Brazil, England, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United States and Wales.

INSI would like to thank UNESCO and the Thomson Reuters Foundation for their assistance and facilitation with this project. A massive thanks also to the following law firms who invaluably provided pro bono legal research: Baker McKenzie, KLA - Koury Lopes Advogados, Simmons & Simmons LLP, Arthur Cox, Paul Hastings, Intel Corporation, DLA Piper, Dechert LLP, Latham & Watkins LLP, Bowmans and Nishith Desai Associates.

Click here to download the document or here to find out more.

Photo is from AFP