Police all across UK to protect Journalists through ‘Journalist Safety Liaison Officers’ : UK Government
- Vineet Malik
- Oct 7
- 4 min read
By Vineet Malik | October 7, 2025 | India
Journalists in the United Kingdom (UK) will soon get a dedicated point of contact in all 43 Police Forces in England and Wales including British Transport Police and Counter Terror Policing in the event of support needed when encountered with abuse, intimidation and violence
This important initiative is part of the new agreement done to reinforce reporter safety through the Government National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists.
It will have a deep impact on promotion of media freedom and protect the press from harassment.
Journalists across the UK are being urged to avail this facility enforced by the Government.
The move reflects a strengthened partnership between the media, policing and Government to improve the safety and well-being of Journalists.
The job of Journalists entails taking risk routinely that affects their personal safety, while reporting from protests, crime scenes and other volatile environments.
Their presence on the ground is essential for challenging misinformation and highlighting issues that matter to communities across the UK. Journalists in the recent past have increasingly become targets – both online and on the ground.
Media Minister : Ian Murray says
“Too often, journalists are put in harm’s way while fulfilling their vital role of delivering accurate news to the public.
It is only right that they feel supported and protected so they can focus on carrying out their jobs to the highest standard.
By appointing Journalists Safety Liaison Officers (JSLOs) in every police force, I hope reporters will feel reassured knowing they have a direct point of contact if issue arise.”
The Government and National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), given the potential dangers faced by journalists have stepped up work over the past year to appoint JSLOs.
Scotland and Northern Ireland already have dedicated JSLOs for the protection of journalists.
The JSLOs will provide journalists and media employers with a single point of contact and provide practical support in response to abuse or intimidation. This includes safety guidance ahead of high-risk assignment, such as protests and will ensure that crimes against journalists are consistently recorded and addressed.
The UK Government wants to ensure that journalists can carry out their role in informing the public and continue to hold those in power to account. This initiative aligns with the Government plans for a Local Media Strategy to support local journalism.
It aims to make it easier for journalists to cover the issue that matter to local communities, conduct investigative journalism and report without fear or favour.
Safeguarding Minister and Co-Chairman of National Committee for the Safety of Journalists - Jess Phillips says
“I know first-hand what it feels like to be on the receiving end of threats and intimidation. But I also know my experience is not unique - too many people who put themselves in the public eye to do their jobs face the same.
My broader work on safeguarding has shown me how important it is to protect those who speak out, and that must include journalists. Their work underpins our democracy and they must be able to do it free from fear.”
Deputy Chief Constable of the National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Media and Communications - Sam de Reya says
“Policing takes the safety of journalists extremely seriously and this initiative demonstrates our commitment to protecting those who play a vital role in our democracy.
The National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists has brought together partners across policing, government and the media to tackle the threats journalists face.
Policing is proud to support this work and we will continue to play our part in ensuring that journalists are protected and empowered to do their jobs without fear or intimidation.”
The list of JSLOs will be available to all journalists (including freelance journalists) and employers on request and has been circulated by the NPCC.
Chief Executive of the Society of Editors – Dawn Alford says
“Improving communication and collaboration between the police and journalists is a vital step in ending impunity for crimes against journalists and the appointment of journalist safety officers across all UK forces sends a strong message to the perpetrators of this abuse.
Robust, independent journalism strengthens democracy and the safety and ability of journalists to report, without fear or favour, should be of paramount importance to anyone who values a free press and its ability to hold power to account.”
Chief Executive of the News Media Association - Owen Meredith says
“Journalists have a crucial role in reporting the stories that matter but, sadly increasingly, they face an array of threats and intimidation designed to silence reporting.
This is completely unacceptable and those responsible should be held fully accountable for their actions."
The new list of Journalist Safety Liaison Officers is a very welcome initiative which will facilitate support for journalists who find themselves on the receiving end of threats and direct intimidation.
Views of The Revelation :
We hope, this new initiative to safeguard the journalists will be implemented in a true spirit by the UK Government, in particular when the UK Police time and again exceeded its legitimate limits by arresting the journalists for covering protests and doing their job.
The UK Government, should not forget that if any such single incident gets repeated again, The Revelation will remind the politicos about these new measures taken to protect the journalists in contrast to its double standards.
Also, this development in the UK takes us back to the century when a British Politician - Edmund Burke called the Press as the Fourth Estate that has the ability to influence public opinion.
In English, the term with reference to news journalist, what we call media today, is often attributed to Burke. In his time, the Three Estates of British politics were considered as the King, the Clergy and the Commoner.
According to Burke: “there were Three Estates in the Parliament, but in the Reporters' Gallery yonder, there sat a Fourth Estate more important far than them all."
Burke called the press the Fourth Estate in acknowledgment of its influence in narrating and shaping public opinion. It is an acknowledgment that the role of the press, as a watchdog to the government of the day, is important to any functioning democracy.
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