New AI Tool Gives Journalists On-Demand Access to Safety Guidance
Two press freedom organizations launched JESS, an AI-powered safety tool for journalists, on May 21. The system provides reporters, editors, and news organizations across the United States with practical security advice for assignments ranging from protest coverage to digital threats.
JESS was built by the Journalism Protection Initiative at CUNY's Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and ACOS Alliance, a coalition of 160 news organizations and press freedom groups. The tool integrates with ChatGPT and Claude through model context protocol, allowing journalists to access safety plans without leaving their existing workflows.
How It Works
JESS operates two core features. The first lets journalists ask safety questions and receive sourced answers from an expert knowledge base built by Mike Christie, Reuters' former head of safety. Responses include links to original materials that can be downloaded for offline use.
The second feature guides journalists through a structured risk assessment for upcoming assignments and generates a personalized safety plan they can edit and carry into the field. This feature is currently in beta testing.
All interactions remain confidential. No session data is shared with third parties.
Current Scope and Expansion
JESS currently focuses on journalists reporting within the United States. A global knowledge base is under development, with a launch expected later in 2026.
Joel Simon, founding director of the Journalism Protection Initiative, said the tool addresses a gap. "Even as journalism has become more challenging in the United States, many local and regional news organizations still lack access to the essential safety information they need to keep their people safe," he said.
The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation funded the project's development. Writers interested in AI tools can access JESS at safetyjess.ai.
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