International Insurance Fund for Journalists approves nearly 1230 days of insurance for 92 media workers in 1.5 years

Photo by airpu.org

The International Insurance Fund for Journalists (IIFJ) insured 92 media workers (54 men and 38 women, including journalists, videographers, fixers) for a total of 1,230 days of exposure to danger from January 2024 through June 2025, reports the Association of Independent Regional Publishers of Ukraine (AIRPU).

A total of 704 applications was received during this period, of which 633 were approved, including one confirmed case of reimbursement being provided. The fund has accepted 1,015 applications for 2,196 insurance days since being founded, with the total coverage amounting to 100,000 USD.

The IIFJ also organized training classes on physical and mental safety, which were attended by over 100 participants. These included HEFAT (Hostile Environment and First Aid Training), training for working in emergencies, consultations with psychologists, a seminar, and a conference. The participants improved their understanding of personal safety gear, assembling a first aid kit, providing first aid for cardiac arrest and acute stress, the report says.

“Thanks to the organized trainings, mental health support, insurance, and media campaigns, the project has become an important resource for protecting media workers and building their preparedness to work amid increased risks,” commented AIRPU director Oksana Brovko.

The AIRPU team also promptly responded to status changes such as trips being canceled, applicants being drafted, and urgent requests.

“We faced many challenges in our work: night trips, emergency calls, journalists getting drafted. But each time our team acted as a single organism. It’s not just about administrative efficiency: it’s about human support in most critical moments,” said Oksana Brovko.

Throughout 2022 and 2023, the International Insurance Fund for Jorunalists processed 298 applications from media workers for 886 insurance days. The insurance covers up to $100,000. There have been no incidents that warranted insurance in the time that the project has existed.

The International Insurance Fund for Journalists received 372 applications in 2024. The Fund approved 799 insurance days for 74 media workers (journalists, videographers, fixers). The IIFJ continued operations in January 2025.

On June 12, 2025, the President of Ukraine signed Bill No. 11153 ordering media outlets to insure their journalists and other employees during their reporting trips to combat areas or temporarily occupied territories.

The International Insurance Fund for Journalists is an initiative by six civil society organizations: the Institute of Mass Information, the National Agency for the Protection of Journalists, the Souspilnist Foundation, Detector Media, CEDEM, and the IRPD. Any Ukrainian journalist, fixer, or photo/videographer can contact the Fund and get insurance for a period of 1 to 20 days. The insurance offers coverage of healthcare expenses for up to $100 thousand in the event of an injury and a $100,000 payment to the journalist's family in the event of his or her death.

The insurance project is implemented by the Association of Independent Regional Publishers of Ukraine along with partners. The initiative is part of the Voices of Ukraine program, coordinated by the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF). Voices of Ukraine is implemented as part of the Hannah Arendt Initiative and is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.