Every UK police force now has a Journalist Safety Liaison Officer

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published last month |  JP Global Monitoring

LONDON—Every police force across the United Kingdom now has a dedicated Journalist Safety Liaison Officer (JSLO) to support reporters facing threats, harassment, or violence, according to the UK government. The move is part of a broader partnership between police, government, and the media aimed at strengthening journalist protection in an increasingly hostile environment for press freedom, reported bbc.com.

Media Minister Ian Murray said, “Too often, journalists are put in harm's way while fulfilling their vital role of delivering accurate news to the public. It is only right that they feel supported and protected.”

All 43 police forces in England and Wales, along with the British Transport Police and Counter Terror Policing, now have JSLOs in place. Scotland and Northern Ireland already had similar officers before this expansion, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) confirmed.

These officers will provide safety guidance for high-risk assignments such as protests and ensure that crimes against journalists are consistently recorded and addressed. The initiative stems from the government’s National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists, launched in October 2023.

The move has been widely praised. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) called it a “crucial milestone,” while the Society of Editors and News Media Association described it as a “vital step” toward ending impunity for crimes against journalists.

Concerns over press safety have grown in recent years. Amnesty International reported 71 threats or attacks against journalists in Northern Ireland since 2019, many involving death or bomb threats. Some reporters have resorted to installing panic buttons, reinforced doors, and CCTV at home for protection.

Deputy Chief Constable Sam de Reya of the National Police Chiefs Council said the initiative reflects a commitment to ensuring that “journalists are protected and empowered to do their jobs without fear or intimidation.”

Globally, the threat to press freedom remains dire. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported that 104 journalists and media workers were killed in 2024, with 375 imprisoned and 70 still missing.