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The project, titled “Montevideo: A Safe Space for Displaced Journalists and Journalists at Risk”, was approved during the 69th session of the IPDC Bureau in 2025. It aims to establish a comprehensive response programme combining virtual and in-person support mechanisms, with a particular focus on women journalists as a priority group.
Building on regional experience in journalist protection
This initiative builds upon previous efforts supported by UNESCO’s IPDC, including the project “Supporting Safe Spaces for Displaced Journalists”, which contributed to the creation of the first “House for Free Journalism” in Costa Rica—a virtual hub offering resources and support for journalists in exile.
In Montevideo, the project is embedded within the broader programme “Montevideo: Safe City for Human Rights Defenders at Risk”, developed by ICD with support from international partners such as AECID and ProtectDefenders.eu. Since its inception in 2024, the programme has provided temporary relocation and holistic protection to human rights defenders across South America.
This protection model integrates safe accommodation, psychosocial support, and capacity-building in areas such as digital security, human rights, and communication. It is grounded in a holistic approach that considers not only physical safety, but also emotional well-being, autonomy, and professional empowerment. The initiative is supported by a National Working Group bringing together government institutions, civil society, international organizations, and cooperation partners, and is part of the global Shelter City network.
Expanding protection to the journalism community
With the support of UNESCO, the programme is now expanding to address the specific needs of journalists and media workers across the region.
The initiative adopts an inclusive understanding of journalism, encompassing media professionals and reporters, community and indigenous media and communicators from civil society organisations.
The response programme is structured around four key pillars:
- Regional mapping: A comprehensive assessment of risks faced by journalists in South America, including identification of needs, support services, and protection networks.
- Capacity-building: Training modules—both in-person and virtual—covering personal safety, cybersecurity, legal and psychological support, reporting in high-risk contexts, and collective protection mechanisms. Special emphasis will be placed on preventing and responding to gender-based violence against women journalists.
- Direct support: Provision of psychosocial and legal assistance to journalists participating in the programme.
- Partnerships: Strengthening collaboration with journalists’ associations and regional networks to ensure sustainability, validation, and dissemination of tools and methodologies.
The project is expected to benefit at least 70 journalists directly—prioritizing women—as well as a range of journalists’ associations and media organizations across Latin America. Its outputs, including manuals and protocols, are designed to support future generations of media professionals.
Reinforcing freedom of expression in Latin America
Through this initiative, ICD and UNESCO reaffirm their commitment to protecting journalists and safeguarding freedom of expression in contexts of increasing risk and displacement. By consolidating Montevideo as a regional hub for protection and resilience, the project contributes to strengthening democratic values and ensuring that journalists can continue to inform societies without fear.
READ MORE: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/montevideo-strengthens-its-role-regional-safe-haven-journalists-risk-unesco-support?hub=701
