On 16 December 2025, the Journalists Matter campaign organised a one-day study visit to Amsterdam focused on the Dutch PersVeilig model for the safety of journalists. The visit was hosted at the Dutch Journalists’ Union (NVJ) and brought together campaign focal points from the Republic of Moldova, Slovenia, North Macedonia and  Romania alongside key Dutch stakeholders.

The visit aimed to provide participants with practical insight into how PersVeilig operates in practice, enabling direct exchange with journalists’ unions, editors, police, prosecutors and safety experts involved in journalist protection in the Netherlands.

During the discussions, PersVeilig Programme Manager Peter ter Velde and NVJ Secretary General Thomas Bruning explained how PersVeilig was established in 2019 and how a joint protocol between journalists, media organisations, police and the Public Prosecution Service was negotiated. Focal points shared their national experiences, highlighting common challenges such as limited institutional cooperation, online harassment, and difficulties in engaging law-enforcement authorities.

Further on, discussions focused on operational cooperation with police and prosecutors, newsroom safety policies, and PersVeilig’s helpdesk, training and follow-up mechanisms. Participants heard concrete examples of how threats against journalists are reported, prioritised and addressed, as well as how freelancers and women journalists receive targeted support.

The study visit concluded with a reflection session in which focal points identified elements of the PersVeilig model that could be inspirational for the national level, including coordination platforms, reporting mechanisms and safety training. The exchange strengthened peer cooperation and provided concrete inspiration for advancing national action plans under the Journalists Matter campaign.