PNN holds journalist safety training amid growing risks to media workers

**Palestine News Network Conducts Journalist Safety Training in Bethlehem**

*Bethlehem, West Bank –* The Palestine News Network (PNN) organized a two‑day safety training program for its journalists, recent university graduates and civil‑society representatives who cover events across the Palestinian territories. The workshop took place at the Palestinian President Putin Foundation and concluded with participants receiving practical instruction on operating in hostile environments.

The training began with a minute of silence to honor journalists who have been killed while performing their duties. PNN director‑general and editor‑in‑chief Monjed Jadou addressed the attendees, noting that the program was designed to enhance the capacity of media workers to protect themselves amid “difficult circumstances in which Israel is targeting journalists through various means and methods,” as he described the current operating environment.

The curriculum covered a range of topics, including:

* Strategies for reporting safely in conflict zones.
* Review of past incidents involving attacks on journalists.
* First‑aid techniques applicable to field conditions.
* Best‑practice guidelines for minimizing exposure to risk while covering news events.

Trainer Nael al‑Shioukh, a specialist in journalist safety, emphasized that the course drew on real‑life scenarios to prepare participants for the challenges they may encounter in the field. He highlighted the importance of learning from previous incidents to improve decision‑making and preparedness.

The initiative is part of a broader project aimed at supporting independent media in the region. It is being implemented in cooperation with the French media development agency CFI and Expertise France, with financial support from the European Union.

Participants expressed appreciation for the training. Ibrahim Al‑Bam, a field researcher with the Al‑Ufuq Foundation, said the program “contributes to strengthening a culture of professional safety among journalists, activists and human‑rights defenders.” Media graduate Mohammed al‑Qurna of Al‑Quds Open University and freelance journalist Malak Abdel Latif also praised the practical knowledge they received, noting its relevance to operating in high‑risk environments.

Jadou indicated that the training aligns with PNN’s broader vision of promoting media freedoms, strengthening the work of media organisations, and ensuring that journalists can cover events professionally while safeguarding their lives. The network plans to continue developing professional capabilities and occupational safety standards for its staff and affiliated contributors.

Article and image source: english.pnn.ps