In a pivotal move addressing press freedom challenges, Copenhagen-based Good Tape has unveiled its global campaign, Names. This initiative focuses on enhancing the safety and mental health of journalists and aims to uphold their professional integrity. Good Tape seeks to create a safer environment for media workers by shedding light on the increasing dangers they face worldwide. Their recent launch underscores the urgent need to address threats facing the press and to support those risking their lives for truth.
Good Tape has evolved beyond its original function as a transcription tool, expanding its mission to embrace a critical activist role. The Names campaign emerges at a time when records show increased casualties among journalists. A stark comparison to past initiatives reveals a shift from simply providing technological solutions to taking an active stance in safeguarding journalists. This campaign not only marks a significant milestone for Good Tape but also illustrates a broader industry trend of tech companies aligning themselves with social causes.
What Is at Stake for Journalists?
The recent campaign by Good Tape comes in response to alarming statistics reported by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), indicating a record number of journalist fatalities worldwide. These figures have increased to over 140 deaths since the start of 2025, highlighting the perilous conditions media personnel endure. Apart from fatal risks, journalists encounter high levels of censorship and a significant rate of impunity for crimes against them. This reality underscores the pressing issue that Good Tape’s campaign aims to address, bringing to the forefront the crucial need for protection in the journalism field.
How Is Good Tape Supporting Journalism?
In conjunction with the Names campaign, Good Tape has introduced an impactful video statement honoring fallen journalists. This video, featuring CEO Lasse Finderup and war correspondent Nagieb Khaja, aims to bring international attention to the lives lost in the pursuit of truth.
“Behind every name there is a person with a family, with a life,” said Khaja, stressing the personal sacrifices made by these individuals. Good Tape’s efforts extend beyond acknowledgment; they actively engage in supporting journalism through their newly launched Good Tape Grant.
The Good Tape Grant offers financial support to independent journalists, particularly those in developing regions. This grant provides up to €500 and aims to empower storytellers with the resources needed to bring significant stories to light. It reflects Good Tape’s commitment to nurturing a diverse range of journalistic voices while promoting narratives that might otherwise remain untold.
“When there’s an increase in the killing of the ones that are out there trying to tell us the truth, that’s much bigger than anything we can do,” Finderup stated, emphasizing the importance of their mission in today’s challenging media landscape.
Moreover, Good Tape encourages its global community to support organizations like International Media Support and The Rory Peck Trust, which provide critical aid and development opportunities to media workers. This campaign is a call to action, urging widespread support for the preservation of press freedom. As an influential player in digital transcription, Good Tape’s expansion into advocacy reflects an industry-wide acknowledgment of social responsibility transcending corporate confines.
Good Tape’s Names campaign represents a broader movement seeking justice and protection for journalists operating in hostile environments. By offering both monetary support and raising awareness of the dangers faced by media workers, Good Tape underscores its expanding role in promoting press freedom. This initiative reflects an essential acknowledgment of the sacrifices made by journalists, reiterating the need for global support in safeguarding truth-tellers worldwide.
