62% of Journalists Have Covered Risky Stories: Here Are the Types

A survey by TIFA Foundation and Populix reveals that 62% of Indonesian journalists responded that they had been involved in risky coverage in 2024.

Risky coverage refers to journalistic activities involving physical, psychological, or legal dangers to journalists.

Based on type, coverage of demonstrations was the most common risky assignment last year, experienced by 61% of respondents.

Other risky coverage undertaken by journalists included coverage in areas of inter-community conflict (48%), natural disaster areas (47%), crime (47%), areas with a risk of disease transmission (24%), and others as detailed in the accompanying graph.

The survey also found that only 67% of journalist respondents received safety training before undertaking risky assignments.

According to TIFA Foundation, safety training for risky coverage should be standard for journalists before going into the field.

"Systematic training, with support from media organizations, and access to safety equipment, can help journalists work more safely and professionally," wrote TIFA Foundation and Populix in their report, *Journalist Safety Index 2024: Threats and Risks to Journalist Safety During the Transition Period*.

TIFA Foundation conducted this survey in collaboration with Populix, involving 760 active journalists.

The majority of respondents were field journalists (68%), followed by editors/sub-editors (17%), editors-in-chief (10%), and managing editors (6%).

Respondents were spread across Java (48%), Sumatra (19%), Kalimantan (9%), Bali-Nusa Tenggara (6%), Papua (5%), and Maluku-North Maluku (5%).

Data collection was conducted from October 30 to December 6, 2024, using two methods: quantitative and qualitative.

In addition to the survey, they also collected secondary data on violence against journalists compiled by the Indonesian Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) over the past five years, as well as in-depth interviews with various media stakeholders.