The National Union of Journalists has teamed up with Google to launch an online training course designed to help journalists stay safe.

Storysmart is a suite of free-to-use online training modules developed by the NUJ with the support of the Google News Initiative.

The four modules cover working in hostile environments, psychological trauma and well-being, cyber risks and dealing with injury, and include advice from trainers, cyber-security experts and experienced journalists.

Designed to work on phones, tablet, and laptops, they can be accessed at www.nujstorysmart.com and can be consulted as needed.

Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: “Journalism has always been dangerous, but hostile environments now extend to the streets of our own cities and cyber attacks can be mounted on the devices in all of our pockets.

“Storysmart is designed to raise journalists’ awareness of the challenges they face and provide tested methods to minimise risk and protect sources, however and wherever they are carrying out their work.”

Matt Cooke, head of Google News Lab said: “The Google News Initiative works side-by-side with associations, publishers and journalists to build a more sustainable, diverse and innovative news ecosystem.

“This new training destination, designed by the NUJ, aims to raise awareness of practical steps and digital safety techniques.  It has never been more important to protect and support journalists, and we’re grateful to the NUJ and all of the expert practitioners from across the news industry who have contributed to this project.”