Minnesota journalists: Hotlines to call for immediate support

As you cover rising tensions and uncertainty in the Twin Cities and across Minnesota, save these hotlines, hosted by our training and support partners, for immediate support.

Safety consultation (physical and digital)

Digital and physical safety: 1:1 consultations with International Women's Media Foundation

IWMF safety experts are available to consult on physical and digital safety issues. It's not a rapid response line, but the IWMF team is paying attention to what's happening on the ground in Minnesota, and is ready to respond. 

If you need more immediate support, contact Juanita Islas, IWMF's program director.

When to use this hotline:  If you're preparing to go out (or send a team) into a potentially volatile situation and could use some help assessing the risks ... if you or someone on your team is experiencing online violence, doxxing or harassment ... if you need safety guidance before, during or after an assignment.

Legal support

Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press legal hotline: Fill out the form at rcfp.org/hotline or call 1-800-336-4243 [save this number to your phone contacts]

Journalists and news organizations seeking assistance with specific legal questions or issues can contact the free Legal Hotline.

The hotline form fields requests from journalists and media attorneys Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT. 

For more immediate or after-hours needs, call the hotline — which is staffed 24/7 — at 1-800-336-4243. 

Here's what to expect when you contact the RCFP hotline.

When to use this hotline: If you or a colleague have been detained or arrested during coverage ... if law enforcement attempts to access or confiscate your equipment or notes during coverage ... if anything happens that poses  an immediate and serious threat to newsgathering and reporting. 

Save this contact: Tap this link to save the RCFP hotline to your contacts

Emergency assistance (of all types) and safety advice

Committee to Protect Journalists' emergency hotline: Email [email protected]

CPJ's emergency hotline can help you navigate an urgent safety situation.

The organization also provides short-term, emergency support to working journalists and media workers following an incident related to their journalistic work. 

Support includes financial and non-financial assistance.

From CPJ: You will be asked to provide information about your circumstances, needs, and work as a journalist. All information is confidential but may be shared with a small network of trusted partners for vetting purposes. Due to the high volume of requests, we are unable to respond to everyone. CPJ gives priority to emergency situations.

When to use this hotline:  If you need help navigating an incident in your work that has threatened your safety ... if you need safety advice or need to report a press freedom violation ... if you are in need of help finding basic living support, medical support, psychosocial support, emergency relocation support, exile support, legal support, prison support or post-prison support.
 

Legal support for student journalists

Student Press Law Center's legal hotline: FIll out the form at rcfp.org/legalhelp

Student journalists and their advisors facing intimidation, censorship, suppression of reporting or other challenges to newsgathering can contact the SPLC's free legal hotline. 

The SPLC staff answers every query — but note that they do not staff the hotline during weekends or federal holidays. 

If you're dealing with an urgent, time-sensitive matter, say so in the form. If it's an urgent matter on a weekend or federal holiday, contact the RCFP hotline (above).

When to use this hotline: If you or your colleagues are facing a lawsuit ... if your reporting has been suppressed or censored ... if you have questions about reporting on a sensitive topic.