New AI Tool Gives Journalists On-Demand Safety Guidance
Two press freedom organizations launched JESS, an AI-powered safety tool designed to help journalists and editors across the United States access expert guidance on assignment security. The tool draws on a knowledge base built by Mike Christie, former head of safety at Reuters.
JESS operates with privacy built in. All interactions remain confidential, and the system stores no session data.
Two Core Features
The first feature lets journalists ask specific safety questions and receive sourced answers from the knowledge base. A reporter covering protests can ask about protest security. Another can ask about digital security or harassment. Responses include links to source materials available for offline download.
The second feature, currently in beta, walks journalists through a structured risk assessment for an upcoming assignment and generates a personalized safety plan. Users can save, edit, and take the plan into the field.
Journalists can also build safety plans directly inside Claude or ChatGPT accounts through MCP integration. This beta feature will evolve based on user feedback.
The tool covers assignment types including protests, digital security, harassment, and extreme weather.
Your membership also unlocks:
