Description
The News Media Safety Course is an online training programme designed to help journalists develop the knowledge, understanding, and judgement required to operate more safely in complex environments.
News organisations regularly assign journalists to tasks that involve elevated levels of risk, responsibility, and independent decision-making. Yet providing meaningful safety training consistently across staff journalists, freelancers, producers, and media teams can be challenging.
This programme provides an accessible and scalable training pathway that helps organisations build a stronger foundation of knowledge, understanding, and decision-making across their workforce.
Built around the realities of news gathering, the course focuses on understanding risk, effective preparation, situational awareness, operational judgement, and practical safety behaviours. Participants develop the knowledge and confidence required to make more informed decisions before, during, and after assignments.
The News Media Safety Course is not a replacement for HEAT or HEFAT training. Instead, it provides the knowledge, understanding, and decision-making framework that underpins safer news gathering and helps participants gain more value from practical training when it is available.
KEY FEATURES
• Approximately 30 hours of online learning
• 26 structured learning modules
• Delivered entirely online
• Self-paced learning with six months to complete
• Assessment throughout the programme
• Certification valid for two years
• Suitable for staff journalists and freelancers
• Designed specifically for news media environments
• Practical, role-specific safety training
• Supports organisational duty of care requirements
WHAT’S INCLUDED
• Full access to all 26 modules
• End-of-module assessments
• Certification on successful completion
• Downloadable certificate
• Two years of certification validity
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
• No previous safety training required
• No previous operational experience required
• Suitable for journalists, freelancers, producers, camera operators, and media teams
• Medical qualifications are not required to enrol
• Medical awareness content may be included where requested
• Does not replace practical medical training or recognised first aid qualifications
DELIVERY & CERTIFICATION
Delivery Method:
Online
Programme Length:
Approximately 30 hours
Completion Window:
Six months
Assessment:
End-of-module assessments throughout the programme
Certification:
News Media Safety Course Certificate
Certification Validity:
Two years
Recertification:
Required after two years through reassessment and refresher training where required
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is this course a replacement for HEAT or HEFAT?
No. The course provides the knowledge, understanding, and decision-making framework that underpins safer news gathering. It complements HEAT and HEFAT training but does not replace practical scenario-based training.
Do I need previous safety training?
No. The programme is designed for both new and experienced journalists.
Is the course suitable for freelancers?
Yes. The programme is designed to be accessible to freelancers as well as staff journalists and media teams.
Do I need a medical qualification?
No. Medical qualifications are not required to enrol or complete the programme.
How is the programme delivered?
The course is delivered entirely online and can be completed at your own pace within the six-month access period.
How long is certification valid?
Certification remains valid for two years following successful completion of the programme.
