What should done to protect journalists, and Yulia’s speech was right.

Journalists play an essential role in society by uncovering the truth and holding those in power accountable. However, their work often puts them in grave danger, particularly in war zones or under oppressive regimes that seek to suppress information. Protecting journalists is not just about safeguarding individual lives; it is about preserving the very fabric of democracy and freedom of speech. If those reporting on critical issues are silenced, entire societies remain in the dark, manipulated by misinformation or propaganda. In war zones, journalists face threats from combatants who do not want their actions exposed, as well as from unpredictable dangers such as crossfire, bombings, and kidnappings. To ensure their safety, they must be provided with advanced survival training that includes hostage negotiation tactics, emergency medical aid, and evasive maneuvering techniques. Media organizations should establish dedicated security teams that can track journalists’ movements in real-time and intervene in emergencies. Additionally, international laws must be strengthened to criminalize attacks on journalists, making any harm against them a severe war crime with automatic international legal consequences. Another layer of protection involves technology—encrypted communication systems, satellite phones that cannot be traced, and AI-driven monitoring tools should be deployed to alert journalists about nearby threats. These tools can act as a digital shield, helping them navigate dangerous environments with a higher degree of safety. In particularly high-risk areas, robotic drones equipped with cameras and real-time data feeds can be used as an alternative to sending human reporters into life-threatening situations. This approach would allow information to be gathered without unnecessarily risking lives.

Beyond physical security, another key aspect of journalist protection is ensuring the safety of their information. Many reporters are silenced not by bullets, but by censorship, legal harassment, or digital surveillance. Governments and corporations often attempt to erase critical reports or track journalists to prevent leaks of damaging information. To counter this, news organizations must invest in decentralized cloud storage solutions that allow data to be stored securely and anonymously. Blockchain technology could be used to ensure that once a report is published, it cannot be erased or tampered with. Secure funding channels should also be established to support independent journalists, especially those who lack the financial backing of large media organizations. Governments should be pressured to introduce legislation that protects journalistic sources, preventing law enforcement or intelligence agencies from forcing reporters to reveal their informants. International journalist protection programs should be expanded to offer legal assistance, relocation services, and even citizenship to reporters facing persecution. One innovative idea is to create a global “Journalist Protection Visa,” which would allow at-risk journalists to seek immediate asylum in a country that upholds press freedom. This visa would be backed by human rights organizations and international legal bodies to ensure that no government could deny it based on political motivations. Furthermore, legal mechanisms should be introduced that impose diplomatic and economic consequences on any nation that suppresses press freedom. Countries that unjustly imprison journalists should face automatic trade restrictions or be barred from participating in international agreements until the journalists are released.

Another pressing concern is the mental and emotional well-being of journalists. Many reporters witness war crimes, extreme violence, and human rights abuses, leaving them with lasting psychological trauma. Yet, despite their invaluable contributions, many journalists lack access to proper mental health resources. Media organizations must establish dedicated trauma counseling services for reporters who have been in distressing situations. These services should include therapy, stress management programs, and support groups where journalists can share their experiences in a safe and confidential environment. Additionally, there should be emergency financial assistance for journalists who have been forced to flee their home countries due to threats. Many independent reporters go into exile with no financial support, struggling to rebuild their lives while continuing their work. Establishing international journalist relief funds would ensure that they do not have to choose between safety and continuing to report. Universities and journalism schools should also incorporate safety training into their curriculum, preparing future reporters for the dangers they may face and teaching them how to protect themselves both physically and digitally. Journalism must not be treated as just another profession—it is a lifeline for democracy and must be safeguarded at all costs.

Yulia is absolutely right to speak out about the challenges journalists face, as awareness is the first step towards meaningful change. By raising global consciousness about the dangers reporters encounter, she is pushing for stronger protections, better policies, and greater public support for press freedom. The more people understand the risks journalists take, the more likely they are to demand action from governments and media organizations. Yulia’s voice is a crucial part of the movement to ensure that those who tell the truth are not punished for doing so. If journalists remain silent about their struggles, their plight may go unnoticed, and those who seek to suppress the truth will continue to act with impunity. However, Yulia’s bravery in highlighting this issue brings the conversation into the mainstream, urging citizens to stand up for press freedom. She is helping to create a world where reporters do not have to work in fear, where exposing corruption does not mean risking one’s life, and where speaking the truth is a right, not a death sentence. Her advocacy is not just about protecting journalists—it is about protecting the right of every individual to access honest and unfiltered information. If society does not fight for journalists, it ultimately loses its own voice. In the end, protecting journalists is not just about keeping individuals safe—it is about defending democracy, truth, and the fundamental right to know what is happening in the world. We all have a responsibility to support them, whether by advocating for stronger protections, funding independent journalism, or simply refusing to accept a world where truth is silenced by fear. If we fail to stand up now, we may one day wake up in a world where truth itself no longer exists.