University of Liverpool researchers have this week launched a new global index measuring safety for journalists as part of UNESCO's World Press Freedom Day events in Brussels.
The Worlds of Journalism Study Global Index on Journalists' Safety is the first of its kind to offer a comprehensive measure of how safe journalists are in performing their professional duties across the world. The index is designed to inform global policy, advocacy, journalism education, and safety practices at a time when media freedom and journalists' rights are increasingly under threat.
Led by Dr Vera Slavtcheva-Petkova, Reader in Global Journalism and Media at the University of Liverpool and Vice-Chair of the Worlds of Journalism Study, the index is based on an unprecedented survey of nearly 31,000 journalists in 73 countries, conducted between 2021 and 2024 and data from UNESCO's Observatory of Killings. It is hosted on the Safety of Journalists one-stop platform - a joint initiative between the University of Liverpool and the Worlds of Journalism Study in co-operation with UNESCO.
"We are proud to lead this crucial project, which sheds light on the everyday risks journalists face worldwide-from physical and digital threats to psychological and financial pressures," said Dr Slavtcheva-Petkova. "This index equips stakeholders with the evidence needed to take action to protect journalists and improve press freedom."
The index defines journalists' safety as the extent to which they can carry out their work without threats to their physical, psychological, digital, or financial well-being. The methodology was rigorously peer-reviewed by top international scholars and developed by a Steering Committee based within the University of Liverpool's Department of Communication and Media and the Worlds of Journalism Study.
The index is online here and methodology information can be found here. It ranks Portugal as the safest country for journalists while Pakistan is the least safe. The UK is ranked 23rd.
The project is funded by Research England and supported by the Worlds of Journalism Study, a global research network including more than 300 researchers and chaired by Professor Thomas Hanitzsch of LMU Munich and President-Elect of the International Communication Association.
The other key contributors to the index include Dr Mark Pogson, Lecturer in Data Science and Communication, University of Liverpool, Professor Jyotika Ramaprasad, University of Miami, USA and Professor Nina Springer, University of Münster, Germany.
The launch of the index was a highlight of World Press Freedom Day celebrations in Brussels, bringing together journalists, academics, and policy leaders to champion press freedom and journalist protection.
Dr Slavtcheva-Petkova also co-organised the academic conference element of World Press Freedom Day and delivered one of the welcome addresses alongside UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information Dr Tawfik Jelassi and Professor Jackie Harrison, UNESCO Chair at the University of Sheffield
18 students from the Department of Communication and Media accompanied Dr Slavtcheva-Petkova, Dr Pogson, Dr Rosalynd Southern, Senior Lecturer in Political Communication and Dr Emily Harmer, Senior Lecturer in Media to the event.
"This was an incredible opportunity," said Victoria Graham, final-year Communication and Media student. "Learning a plethora of topics - from journalists' safety to the intersection of press freedom and AI, I was able to get a more holistic understanding of the journalistic landscape and the crucial need for transparency and support, especially as society quickly integrates AI into all social frameworks. The conference and trip to Brussels overall expanded my connectivity, both metaphorically and physically, within the media ecosystems and various geographical landscapes".
