Live News - A Survival Guide - International Federation of Journalists

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