Live News - A Survival Guide - International Federation of Journalists

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Chapter 2War zones andconflict areasWhen bullets start flying there is no guaranteed way ofstaying safe from harm, and journalists may become targets,in error or deliberately. Front-line media workershave been wounded or killed by bullets, shells and mortar firedfrom a distance. Stray bullets and ricochets cause many fatalities.Journalists have been targeted by snipers and killed in ambushes.In situations where there are several different forces involved in aconflict and where front lines shift rapidly, it is difficult to knowwhere an area of conflict begins and ends. However, a journalistwho stays aware of the dangers and who thinks ahead has a goodprospect of staying alive and uninjured.The best defence a journalist has is his or her own awareness. Bytrying to understand the mind-set of the combatants in a war zoneand the potential of weapons being used, a journalist can reducehis or her chances of getting hurt or killed. Journalists need to beable to assess risks, including which of their own actions can putthem in the firing line, and the quickest way out of a danger area.They need to keep a mental map of the geography and the militarystate of affairs. Like others in combat areas, a journalist needs toassess the least bad option, because no option is totally safe.The attitude of combatants to journalistsJournalists and military forces have different aims and objectives.Journalists want access so that they can report what is happening.Military forces wish to maintain control of the military situationand to win their battles. They believe that journalists should coverthose aspects of an operation that commanders want to showthem.Soldiers and other military forces are often suspicious of journalists.Front-line troops may be happy to talk or to have picturestaken, because this records and validates their role. However, themedia are an additional and usually unwelcome factor for militarycommanders in the field. Senior commanders often see journalists22
Live News — A Survival Guide for Journalistsas a nuisance and a security risk. Depending on the situation, theymay also associate all or some of the media with the propaganda ofthe other side, and therefore as a potential enemy, and an enemythey are not supposed to shoot.Wherever possible, military forces will try to influence coverageof a conflict in their favour. Friendly commanders seek to managejournalists, using liaison officers to feed them propaganda andmisinformation and to lead them away from what they are notsupposed to know. Hostile military commanders will refuse to cooperate,and may obstruct or even shoot at journalists. Militia maysee media as a source of revenue, and offer them services and protectionin exchange for money.Senior commanders have an awareness of the importance offavourable publicity and the need to avoid being blamed for civiliandeaths or atrocities. However, checkpoints are often staffed byyoung, poorly equipped, poorly trained, tired and frightenedyoung men who may take a more subjective and short-term view ofevents. It may – from their point of view – seem rational and justifiedto threaten, steal from or even shoot at the media. Beforeentering a danger area, the journalist needs to gain an understandingof the conflict from the point of view of the different forcesinvolved. Journalists need to have good knowledge about themorale, discipline and attitude of the fighting forces on theground. They also need to have good inter-personal skills to takethe heat out of confrontations when they arise.Travelling with the military or without escortThe military can offer access to the front line, and travelling withthem may be the only way to get to areas where you want to work.However, also be aware of drawbacks. In some countries, if you travelwith the military you will be associated with the military andbecome a target. If you travel with the military you have to do whatthe military tells you to do. If a unit comes under fire, their firstresponsibility is to themselves, their comrades and your safety,rather than to your pictures or copy. Junior soldiers or officers havelittle decision-making power. If you are allocated to a soldier, try toensure that it is one of senior rank. Helicopter pilots can give youan overview of trouble areas and allow you to take pictures fromthe air.If travelling ‘unsupervised’ in a conflict zone, you need to beespecially aware of where you are and where various forces are sit-YOU MAY BE TARGETED AS‘ONE OF THEM’If you travel with the military orwith one side in a conflict yourisk becoming a target, eitherbecause you are mistaken for asoldier or because you areconsidered to be associated withthe enemy.23
Page 1 and 2: A SURVIVAL GUIDEFOR JOURNALISTSLIVE
Page 3 and 4: LIVENEWSA SURVIVAL GUIDEFOR JOURNAL
Page 5 and 6: ContentsPreface . . . . . . . . . .
Page 7 and 8: IntroductionOver the past 12 years
Page 9 and 10: Live News — A Survival Guide for
Page 15 and 16: Chapter 1Preparing to work inhostil
Page 27: Part 2The Danger ZoneA cameraman ju
Page 57 and 58: Chapter 4Abductions, hostagetaking
Page 77 and 78: Chapter 5Emergencymedical aidJourna
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Live News — A Survival Guide for
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Part 4The Campaign ZoneMacedonian j
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Appendix 2Statistics on deaths of j
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Live News - A Survival Guide - International Federation of Journalists

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