Season's Greetings from RISC

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, 2012 has been a very exciting and fruitful first year for our organization. We trained 48 freelance journalists in lifesaving techniques and sent them back to the frontlines equipped with fully-stocked medical kits. The feedback from our trainees has been overwhelmingly positive, and many have sent us photos of themselves and their colleagues wearing their RISC kits on the battlefield. 

It saddens us to know that 2012 is also shaping up to be one of the deadliest years on record for journalist deaths, and nearly one-third of those killed were freelancers. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 67 reporters have been killed so far this year in direct relation to their work. Syria, where a vicious civil war is attracting freelancers from far and wide, has been the deadliest country for journalists by far with 28 deaths. 

This news only strengthens our resolve to offer more trainings in more locations in 2013, and do all we can to promote the safety of freelancers in conflict zones. We have announced dates for two upcoming sessions in New York City: March 26-29 and June 18-21. We are developing partnerships with venues in Istanbul and London, and we plan to hold our first overseas training by the end of the year. 

In other news, Sebastian Junger’s new documentary film about Tim Hetherington, whose tragic death inspired the founding of RISC, premiers at Sundance Film Festival in January and will air on HBO in the spring. RISC is also planning a war correspondent speaker series in 2013 at the Brooklyn Brewery.

Please continue to spread the word about RISC to your friends and family, and consider making a year-end donation to help us make 2013 a safer year for journalists working in dangerous areas. You can donate online or mail a check or money order to: RISC, c/o The Half King, 505-507 West 23rd Street, New York, NY, 10011. We have set up a new donations portal so please do not be alarmed that the page looks a bit different.

Best wishes to you and yours for a happy holiday season!