Help Fund PPE for Freelance U.S. Visual Journalists

Victor Blue documents protesters in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis in 2020. （Photo courtesy Victor Blue)

According to the Press Freedom Tracker, the number of journalists assaulted by

June 2024 surpassed the total number of assaults from 2023.

As we approach Election Day here in the U.S., many of us are concerned about

how we can keep our colleagues as safe as possible.

A recent unofficial survey of freelance visual journalists identified dozens of people who are in need of critical safety gear. One hundred percent of this fund will go towards purchasing NEW personal protective equipment for working visual journalists in the U.S. to help facilitate safer news gathering.

Here is approximately how much it costs to protect the head, vital organs, eyes, lungs and provide a individual first aid kit (IFAK) for an individual journalist:

Helmet $350

Vest $500

Ceramic plates $600

Eye protection $70

Mask $250

Med kit $90

Total: $1,860

Leah Millis climbs election scaffolding as she documents January 6, 2021. (Photo by Pete Kiehart)

After the money is raised, there will be a transparent process documenting the

PPE purchased, including receipts. Donors will have the option to be updated.

Thank you for helping us keep our hard-working colleagues as safe as possible

so they can do their jobs to the best of their abilities.

References:

Assaults of journalists already surpassing last year’s total - US Press Freedom Tracker