Twelve journalists from various parts of Mindanao gathered in Davao City from July 4 to 6 for a Media Safety Module Co-Creation Lab and Trainer Development Workshop, where they co-created a localized media safety curriculum to help journalists in their reportage. The workshop, organized by the Media Impact Philippines project, aimed to embed regional context into journalist safety curricula and ensure that media safety goes beyond mere physical safety, also considering psychosocial, legal, and socio-cultural lenses. Participants took part in activities such as “Mapping Our Vulnerabilities” and worked in breakout groups to redesign six key safety modules, including reporting in hostile environments and ethical and safe reporting on children and youth. The workshop also focused on newsroom policies and collective care, with participants co-developing debriefing tools, peer support systems, and a practical safety checklist tailored for freelancers. The event emphasized the importance of holistic safety, recognizing that journalists must be protected not only physically but also emotionally, legally, and professionally, and participants are expected to roll out pilot training modules in the coming months, including trauma-informed and gender-sensitive safety tracks for journalists in conflict-affected areas.
