Paper found in a search can become evidence: keep it carefully.
Write to Access Now Digital Security Helpline Who helps (13)
Draft What human rights defenders advise
Designations of organisations in this guide: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) (undesirable). Contacting them carries a risk: do not write from a phone that may be seized, and do not repost their materials.
current as of 26 September 2026. More: CPJ: Kloop and Temirov Live declared 'extremist'; IPHR: new risks for civil society in Uzbekistan; IPHR: pressure on media and the 'LGBT propaganda' law
Shows those who help where you are now. The choice works only on your screen.
Free 24/7 help for activists and journalists: hacked accounts, surveillance, securing accounts and devices. Russian-language support available.
Other ways to reach them: help@accessnow.org
Defends free speech in Kazakhstan: a lawyer and defence counsel for journalists and bloggers, violation monitoring, advice on what to do if threatened.
Other ways to reach them: +7 777 400 2210 · info@adilsoz.kz (a call stays in the phone log and with the operator)
A journalist's legal handbook, training and analysis of Kazakhstan's media laws.
Mostly legal materials and training rather than defence in a specific case. For a case, contact Adil Soz.
Other ways to reach them: mediastana@gmail.com · +7 7172 42-44-32 (a call stays in the phone log and with the operator)
Documents persecution in Uzbekistan (bloggers, journalists, prisoners, forced labour) and campaigns for release. Does not provide legal aid.
Other ways to reach them: info@uzbekforum.org
Monitors human rights abuses in Turkmenistan. Accepts reports on persecution, exit bans, passports not renewed and pressure on relatives.
The old address chrono-tm.org no longer belongs to the organisation. Do not open it.
Other ways to reach them: hronikatm@gmail.com
Independent outlet covering Turkmenistan. Accepts reports of abuses, including pressure on Turkmen citizens abroad.
Independent media are blocked in Turkmenistan. Use a VPN.
Other ways to reach them: Telegram channel
Supports freelance journalists: pays for therapy (Therapy Fund), emergency assistance and safety. Has a Russian-language page.
For freelancers only, not staff journalists.
Other ways to reach them: info@rorypecktrust.org
A Dutch foundation gives free emergency help to journalists, fixers and bloggers when the threat is linked to their work: lawyer and court costs, medical care, psychological support, replacement equipment, living costs and help for the family. In urgent cases support can come within 24 hours.
The threat must be confirmed by two independent sources; help is one-off, not ongoing. The form is in English, Spanish, French and Arabic. From Russia or Belarus, fill it in on a device that keeps no trace of the conversation.
Other ways to reach them: reportersrespond@freepressunlimited.org · about the programme
A UK organisation gives free legal defence help to journalists, bloggers, photographers, fact-checkers and outlets prosecuted or sued over their reporting. It pays for or finds a lawyer and takes cases up to the European Court of Human Rights and the UN.
Legal help only, no living costs. The journalist, their lawyer, family or a support organisation can apply; the form is available in Russian. If you have no lawyer yet, write to info@mediadefence.org first.
Other ways to reach them: info@mediadefence.org
A Swedish foundation, free of charge, fights off DDoS attacks, cleans hacked websites, provides secure hosting, does digital forensics, checks phones for spyware and helps get around blocking.
They help independent media, investigative journalists, human rights activists and NGOs; people without such work may be turned down. They do not clean personal computers. Reply within 24 hours, communication in English.
Other ways to reach them: about the service
One-off grants for journalists in trouble because of their work: for a lawyer, medical care, urgent departure and the first period in exile. The amounts are small.
Download the application form from the fund's page and send it with supporting documents to the IFJ office in Brussels. The Russian Union of Journalists is not a channel: apply directly; Belarusians can apply via BAJ.
Other ways to reach them: ifj@ifj.org · +32 2 235 22 00 (IFJ office) (a call stays in the phone log and with the operator)
Helps journalists at risk: safety advice, emergency assistance, publicity for cases.
Designated 'undesirable' in Russia since May 2026: contacting it from Russia or Russian accounts carries a risk.
Other ways to reach them: emergencies@cpj.org
Assistance to journalists and media: grants, legal support, publicity for persecution.
Designated 'undesirable' in Russia since 2025: if you are a Russian citizen or travel there, factor in the risk.
Other ways to reach them: assistance2@rsf.org