Live News - A Survival Guide - International Federation of Journalists

CHAPTER 1Preparing for hazardous assignmentsEmergency alertCarry a whistle, in case you need to attract attention or give warnings.Wear a Medic-alert bracelet indicating your blood type andany medical conditions or allergies.CAN YOUR VEHICLE TAKE THEPRESSURE?Ensure that your vehicle is ingood condition.Check tyre pressures regularly,especially in extremes oftemperature. In very hotconditions blow-outs are morelikely. Make sure you have agood-quality spare tyre.Personal comfortIf you will be working away from base and lodgings, ensure youtake personal belongings to keep clean and keep your morale up.Take soap and a flannel, and wipes. Take toilet paper and a smalltrowel for sanitary use. Look after your teeth and your feet.h) Prepare your vehicleWhen away from base for a long period you should, wherever possible,have your own vehicle. This is not just for faster travel and toget you to safety, but because you also need a base where you cankeep material that is difficult to carry. Wherever possible, the drivershould be a dedicated member of your team.The condition and quality of the car and driver are critical.International correspondents may have access to armoured vehicles.The cost of one of these vehicles would probably exceed theentire budget of a small TV station for six months. However, youcan at least ensure that your vehicle is in good mechanical condition,that it has a good-quality spare tyre, and carries reserves offuel and water.Consider whether to mark your vehicle PRESS or MEDIA in largeletters. In some circumstances this will protect you; in others itwill make you a target for sniper fire. If you do use these markings,place them on top of the vehicle as well as on the sides, so that theyare visible from the air. However, ensure that the signs are removableat short notice. In isolated areas and where you may go offroad,your vehicle should also have a means of being towed, dug orwinched out of trouble. Every vehicle should carry a good-qualityfirst aid kit and a fire extinguisher.The driver should be someone who has experience, who is calmand who drives safely. Even if you don’t have an accident, spendingdays being driven by someone you do not trust saps morale andinterferes with rest. If you hire a car and driver for the long term,make the driver a full member of your team entitled to the sameprotection. If the driver is not of the same ethnic or national backgroundas those being driven, be aware that the driver may face differentrisks at checkpoints.18