Local fixers are the unsung backbone of global journalism. They know the terrain, the power dynamics, the risks, and the workarounds. Without them, many foreign correspondents simply couldn’t do their job. Yet when it comes to safeguarding these vital collaborators, many media organisations fall short — particularly when the assignment is brief, intense, and dangerous.
At insuranceforthemedia.com, we’ve seen time and again how hard it can be for both organisations and fixers themselves to get appropriate, affordable insurance cover for short-term work. Whether it’s a three-day assignment in Mosul or a week in Khartoum, the need is urgent. The support often isn’t.
What Is a Fixer, and Why Are They So Crucial?
Fixers are often local journalists, translators, or guides who help foreign media crews operate effectively in unfamiliar, complex, or high-risk environments. They provide logistical support, local knowledge, contacts, cultural context, and in many cases, personal safety.
They are not just assistants. They are producers, negotiators, drivers, security guides, interpreters, and often co-reporters. In many cases, they take on more risk than the journalists they support, but with less recognition and far less protection.
As the Rory Peck Trust notes, “Fixers are essential to the international newsgathering process, but they are often the least protected and most vulnerable.”
The Coverage Gap: What’s Missing?
Despite their critical role, fixers frequently work without formal insurance. Why?
- Assignments are often last-minute and short in duration
- Budgets are tight and processes ad hoc
- Fixers may be working as freelancers, with no organisational backing
- Available insurance products are geared towards Western correspondents, not local teams
Many large outlets assume that hiring a local fixer via a local contact absolves them of responsibility. But that logic falls apart the moment something goes wrong. Fixers have been arrested, injured, kidnapped, and killed doing this work. Without appropriate insurance, their families are often left with nothing.
The Real-World Risks for Fixers
Let’s be clear: this is not a theoretical risk. Examples abound:
- In conflict zones like Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, local fixers have been targeted as collaborators.
- In politically unstable areas like Sudan, Iran, and Myanmar, fixers have been detained during protests or elections.
- Even in places considered relatively stable, fixers can face violent retaliation from criminal groups, militias or state actors.
Fixers may be more visible, more vulnerable, and less protected than the foreign journalists they support.
What Media Organisations Need to Know
If your organisation is sending journalists into the field, it is your responsibility to ensure local collaborators are just as protected as your staff. That means:
- Ensuring insurance cover extends to local fixers and translators
- Planning insurance before the assignment, not after a crisis
- Being clear about who is responsible for what—logistics, safety, risk assessment, emergency response
We offer specialist cover for media organisations, including policies that allow you to cover multiple workers on short notice.
→ Learn more about our cover for media organisations
Barriers Fixers Face When Insuring Themselves
For fixers trying to self-insure, the landscape is bleak:
- Most mainstream insurers won’t cover high-risk regions
- Many short-term policies exclude journalism or media work
- It can be difficult to prove income or employment status
And even when cover is available, it’s often expensive, bureaucratic, or fails to meet the realities on the ground.
Why Ad Hoc Travel Policies Often Fall Short
Many journalists or producers assume that a general travel policy is enough. It isn’t. Typical exclusions include:
- War zones or areas under FCDO or US State Department advisories
- Professional activities such as journalism, filming or reporting
- Cover for fixers not explicitly named on a group policy
In short: if you don’t declare the risk and the role, the policy may not pay out.
What Good Fixer Insurance Looks Like
At insuranceforthemedia.com, we provide flexible, short-term insurance that’s actually built for this kind of work. Here’s what that means:
- Cover available from just one day
- Worldwide support, including in conflict and post-conflict zones
- Evacuation, medical, and crisis response cover
- Policy options for both individuals and organisations
- Fast turnaround – cover can often start within 24 hours
→ Explore cover for individuals and freelance fixers
How insuranceforthemedia.com Is Changing the Game
We believe everyone contributing to newsgathering deserves access to high-quality insurance — whether you’re a British correspondent or a fixer in Baghdad.
That’s why we offer:
- No minimum policy length
- Specialist underwriting for media roles
- Support with fast-moving deployments
- Help for NGOs, broadcasters, and freelancers alike
We work with fixers, producers, and editors around the world to deliver simple, human, transparent cover for dangerous work.
What You Can Do Now
If you work with fixers or are one yourself, don’t wait until there’s a crisis.
- Get a quote today for short-term, high-risk assignments
- Speak to our team about ongoing or annual cover
- Download our cover comparison guide to see what’s included
Trusted Resources and Industry Guidance
For further reading and practical guidance, we recommend:
- Rory Peck Trust – for grants and safety support for freelancers
- Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) – for reporting on press freedom and safety risks
- IFJ Safety Fund – emergency aid for journalists in danger
- Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma – for trauma-informed reporting
Final Word: Journalism Shouldn’t Come at the Cost of Safety
The world needs reporters on the ground. And reporters need local fixers to do the job well. But journalism should never come at the cost of someone else’s safety. With the right planning and the right insurance, we can help protect the people who make frontline reporting possible.
Want to check if your team is properly covered?
