Thailand - Media Safety

INSI Safety Advisory: Covering demonstrations and other civil disorders

Source : INSI 14.05.2010

London, 14 May - Danger levels for journalists and news teams in Bangkok appear to be spiralling, with reports of three journalists shot. The International News Safety Institute website provides a quick safety checklist for the media in this situation:

Covering demonstrations and other civil disorders

• Plan in advance

• Establish pre-arranged contact points with the rest of your team (photographer, camera operator, producer, etc.) if you are separating

• Always carry press identification but conceal it if it attracts unwarranted attention

• Bring a cellular phone with emergency numbers pre-set for speed dialling

• Position yourself upwind if there is a possibility that tear gas will be used

• Bring eye protection such as swimming goggles or industrial eye protection

• Carry first aid kits and know how to use them

• Wear loose natural fabric clothing as this will not burn as readily as synthetic ones; remember there is always the possibility of gasoline bombs being exploded

• Carry a small backpack with enough food and water to last for a day in case you are unable to get out of the area

• If you are a reporter you don’t have to be in the crowd as long as you can see what’s happening

• If you are a photographer or camera operator, try to shoot from a higher vantage point

• Work with the team and keep a mental map of your escape route if things turn bad

• Have an immediate newsroom debriefing after the coverage to extract lessons from the coverage

http://www.newssafety.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5925&Itemid=100505

 

More comprehensive information is provided in the IFJ handbook Live News - a Survival Guide for Journalists, Chapter 3, Page 44, Riots and Civil Disorder

http://www.newssafety.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4894&Itemid=100119