Live News - A Survival Guide - International Federation of Journalists

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CHAPTER 7Fighting back: What the IFJ and journalists’organisations can do116the security apparatus, with police and military agents suspectedof torture and abductions. Now, in a 'reform' era, attacks on journalistsare predominantly from non-state forces of various backgrounds.The Alliance of Independent Journalists Indonesia (AJI)says that those most often identified as attackers are affiliatedwith the ruling political party. Militant members of some religious-basedorganisations are also reported as threatening journalists.Lasykar Jihad (Holy War Forces) and the Islamic Defender Front(FPI) are two examples of religious groups that have threatenedjournalists or media they consider as violating their beliefs. Inaddition, groups suspected of being paid by unscrupulous businessmenalso threaten journalists’ safety.The AJI recorded 104 attacks on journalists in the year May 2000to May 2001, from psychological pressure to physical force. Abouthalf were carried out by people in crowds or mobs. The followingyear, the incidence of violence towards journalists increased to 118cases. The AJI says there is a strong impression that the ruling eliteconsiders mass violence as reasonable revenge on a careless mediathat offends public sensitivity, especially when the violence comesfrom their own fanatical supporters.The journalists’ alliance provides legal services for memberswho have been attacked, and has launched a public awareness campaignto end attacks. AJI reminds the public that any action thatprevents a journalist from obtaining and disseminating informationis an attack on human freedom in general. AJI reminds its ownmembers of the need for the highest professional standards.The organisation provided safety training for its members inAugust 2002. The two-day course covered legal support, labour regulations,trade union support and safety in conflict areas, drawingon the experience of freelance journalists. In areas where electricitymay fail and contact with base is difficult, journalists agreed onthe need to have emergency plans to fall back on and innovativeways of filing copy — one journalist suggested carrier pigeons! Theimportance of independence and careful preparation was stressedas was the need to know the geography, culture and people.SummaryCampaigning may be as spectacular as the mass demonstrationorganised in Macedonia, or the strikes organised in Nepal, or itmay be as unglamorous as writing a letter of protest or seeking ameeting with a parliamentarian. There is evidence that whenever
Live News — A Survival Guide for Journalistsjournalists get together and act collectively they are able to makea difference. Acts of solidarity increase the self-confidence of journalists,and this helps them to work professionally. Even simpleacts of collective solidarity, such as fundraising for the families ofjournalists who have been injured or detained, brings peopletogether and helps them to see their strengths rather than theirweaknesses.Organisations in many countries are working for the unity thatmakes this work possible. However, this understanding has notbeen reached everywhere. The ability of journalists to campaign ismore difficult if their organisations are divided and do not worktogether. Journalists who campaign together, despite political orethnic differences, can construct a shield of solidarity that willhelp to protect them all.■TO THE REPORTERThis poem was found in the pocket of Egon Scotland, a reporter for the Munichbasednewspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, after he was ambushed and killed bySerb guerrillas in the early days of the conflict in Croatia in 1991.Take as many notes and shotsas you can,My friend.But do not report to the worldthat only a number was killed.In the golden fieldsof Slavonia.As no number has any given nameor any taken future.Do report to the world thatIt was Johann and WilliamAnd Victor and FrancescoThat was killedIn the heart of SlavoniaAnd that Gabriel and GyorgyAnd your name, tooWill be killed tomorrowTake as many notes and shotsas you can,My friend.But do not report to the worldthat only a number was killed.In the bleeding fieldsof Slavonia.Anonymous117
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A SURVIVAL GUIDEFOR JOURNALISTSLIVE
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LIVENEWSA SURVIVAL GUIDEFOR JOURNAL
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ContentsPreface . . . . . . . . . .
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IntroductionOver the past 12 years
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Live News — A Survival Guide for
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Chapter 1Preparing to work inhostil
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Part 2The Danger ZoneA cameraman ju
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Chapter 4Abductions, hostagetaking
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Live News - A Survival Guide - International Federation of Journalists

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