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Press toolkit

Additional resources for press

How to refer to us

  • Always ACLED (all caps). Pronounced ACK-led (-ack as in "back," -led as in "sled," stressed syllable in upper case).
  • If additional wording is needed: ACLED, the organization — not “project.”
  • Acceptable descriptor: global conflict monitor.

What we do

ACLED provides real-time, verified data and analysis on political violence, protests, and disorder worldwide. We track events with precise dates, locations, actors, and impacts to help the public understand emerging conflict trends.

Why we’re trustworthy

  • Standardized, transparent methodology.
  • Multi-source verification and continuous review.
  • Global researcher network with regional expertise.
  • Consistent weekly updates since launch.

Data release

New data every Tuesday, covering events from the previous seven days.

Precision and fatality counts

We prioritize event-level accuracy. Fatality figures reflect the best available estimate, acknowledging uncertainty in conflict zones.

Why we say “at least”

Reported fatalities rarely capture the full toll. “At least” signals that actual numbers may be higher and avoids overstating certainty.

Key methodology points

  • Event: A discrete incident at a specific time/place.
  • Categories: Political violence (battles, civilian targeting, explosions/remote violence), and demonstrations (protests/riots).
  • Actors: Clearly defined groups, from state forces to militias and civilians.
  • Sourcing: Local media, international reporting, NGOs, and expert networks, all cross-checked.

 

ACLED Press toolkit (pdf)