Live News - A Survival Guide - International Federation of Journalists

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CHAPTER 3Riots and civil disorderEven peacefulgatherings canbe dangerousNewsweek correspondentBabak Dehghanpisheh wasreporting onthe arrival ofrefugees atMaslakhAfghanistan, inNovember 2001.“It was cold and people weredesperate for water. Morewere arriving every day. Mostaid agencies had not returnedyet. I had become separatedfrom other journalists.“I was talking to people in thecrowd — since I spoke Farsithey could relate to me. Thenthe crowd turned into a moband people started grabbingmy clothes, fighting to get atme. I felt panicked. Theguards beat people awaywith AKs. After half an hour Ifinally made it to the car. Iwas very scared andphysically over-powered.“I should have stayed closerto the car and tried to getindividuals to come to talk tome there. I should haveliaised with the NGOs and letthem bring someone to thecar.”■of sight and can catch the sounds. You can do interviews with participantsbefore and afterwards, but at the time you need anoverview of what is happening.During the eventIf you are part of a team, work with the team. Stay together or withdrawtogether. Withdraw too early rather than too late. If you areworking as an individual, ensure that you have good means of communicationwith someone who can get help if need be. Set up yourphone so that ‘last number redial’ is to a source of instant help.Try to keep a mental map of the main exit routes, prominentlocations, security force locations and the nearest hospital facility,and occasionally stop and check that they are still clear.If you fear film or tape will be seized, carry dud exposed film ortape in your pocket and hide your used material as soon as you takeit from the camera. If using digital equipment, have a dummy discin case you are forced to hand one over. In high-risk situations,team up with another photographer so that you can look out foreach other. You may be rivals — but you are also colleagues.If you are working alone, either as a reporter or a photographer,try to remain aware of when you are becoming the focus of acrowd, rather than just part of it. You may be at risk even if thecrowd is not hostile. Do not be tempted into taking unreasonablerisks just to obtain the same pictures or film that someone else hasalready shown.After the eventDebrief in the newsroom so that lessons are learned for the nextoccasion.Protect the integrity of your material. What is the law in yourcountry about the right of security forces to demand film andvideo material? You must understand the legal implications foryou as a journalist working within the area, region or country thatyou are operating in. What is the policy of your news organisation?If it is not possible to protect material within the country, is it possibleto set up a system so that film of civil disturbance is archivedoutside the country?Remember that your ability to do your job safely is adverselyaffected if the police are given access to your material after demonstrationsand civil unrest. You are put at serious risk, if those takingpart in a riot see you as part of the evidence gathering process.48
Live News — A Survival Guide for Journalists‘Knowledge isthe mostvaluable safetymaterial’In 2001 Peter Williamscovered riots inBradford, UK, for CNN.Freelance photographer Juan Castillo received a blow and had camera equipmenttaken by riot police officers while covering a protest in Mexico City onDecember 11 1999. Students were demanding the release of demonstratorsarrested during World Trade Organization meetings in Seattle. Rocks and rocketsflew from the crowd, setting off a clash with riot police in the Zona Rosadistrict. At least three photographers were injured by rocks or by police and 40people were detained.Photo: AP /David de la PazTerrorists attacksJournalists face the same risks as all civilians from terrorist attacksand face extra risks when media offices and staff themselvesbecome targets for bombs or shootings. Attending the scene of akilling or a bombing also carries risks. Grieving crowds may turnon photographers and camera operators because they believe themto be callous, or to try to prevent whoever carried out the attackgaining publicity. Sometimes an initial incident is set up so thatpolice or military forces can be ambushed when they arrive. Onebomb may be set off to bring the emergency services to the scene,when a bigger bomb is detonated. All those who operate behindpolice cordons, whether police officers, paramedics or journalists,are at risk of being killed or injured by secondary bombs. ■“We arrived in Bradford afterthe riot had moved from thecity centre. We were havingto make decisions late atnight in the dark about goingoff the beaten track.“As a cameraman you alwayswant to produce worthwhilematerial and not come backempty handed. We enteredan area where they werelooting a shop. As a team wedecided it would not be safeto approach closer. I think itwas the right decision.“I always look behind me andsee where I have come fromso if it gets out of control youknow where to run. If you aregoing into a riot you do notwant to get lost!“The safety course made methink about a lot of things. Ilearned that knowledge is themost valuable safety materialwe can have. The morebriefings and the morepeople we liaise with, themore we can be in control.” ■49
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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
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Page 15 and 16: Chapter 1Preparing to work inhostil
Page 27 and 28: Part 2The Danger ZoneA cameraman ju
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Page 57 and 58: Chapter 4Abductions, hostagetaking
Page 77 and 78: Chapter 5Emergencymedical aidJourna
Page 103 and 104: Part 4The Campaign ZoneMacedonian j
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Live News — A Survival Guide for
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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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