App for journalist: JSafe, for reporting online abuse

Credit: Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

What is it? JSafe, an app launched by The Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) to help journalists fight against threats and find the resources they need when they find themselves in threatening situations.

Cost: Free

Devices: iOS and Android

Journalists are increasingly becoming victims of online trolling and harassment. What is also clear is that women journalists are especially more susceptible to abuse, be that sexual harassment, life threats or verbal attacks in person.

This app allows female, female-identifying and non-binary journalists to report any abuse they face and receive the support they need.

How does it work?

Once downloaded, you provide a range of information including your name, email, contact details and websites to the app. Your request is then verified, and you will soon receive a confirmation email if you have been approved as a user.

There are two main options from the homepage, 'submissions' and 'resources'.

On submissions, you can report harassers, providing as much information as you have available, including social media profiles, evidence of abuse, nature of abuse, and additional comments and context. You can also toggle follow-ups on or off. It is as simple as that.

Screenshots: Jsafe

Reporting threats within Jsafe: threat type (left) and uploading evidence (right)

The submissions are handled by the Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) who follows up with a range of support, including legal, therapy or other forms of assistance. All reports are logged and stored in the app.

The resources built into the app include links to the CFWIJ and RJI websites, a 'contact us' which boots up straight to your smartphone mail and a user guide.

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