DRAFT 24 Steps to Safety
Before you go:
1. Know all you can about where you are going and what to expect. Plan escape routes.
2. Identify your vehicle as “media”. Travel with other journalists.
3. Travel with someone who has first-aid training.
4. Ensure you have reliable local contacts in the area, or at least travel with someone who is familiar with the location.
5. Ensure you have insurance.
6. Dress appropriately. Do not carry anything that may look like a weapon.
7. Keep editors, colleagues, family and friends informed about your journey. Make sure colleagues are aware of plans, set times for phoning or texting to confirm safety.
8. Consider how to report on violent areas from a safe distance.
What to take:
9. Additional water, food and fuel for emergencies.
10. Maps, emergency first-aid kit, batteries, contact numbers, reliable fully charged phones. Program an “ICE” number into your phone: the person to call “In Case of Emergency”.
11. Papers that identify you as a journalist and who you work for.
12. Extra cash, a short-wave radio to keep in touch with events, and a white flag.
On location:
13. No story is worth your life. Do not endanger yourself or others. Safety is YOUR responsibility.
14. Be polite. Treat people with respect. Do not argue. If threatened, get out – fast.
15. Entering a battle zone or civil disturbance is highly dangerous.
16. Do not move into an area where a bomb has exploded – beware of follow-up blasts.
17. Do not leave your vehicle unattended.
18. Avoid bias – operate as a professional journalist. You are not a participant.
19. Seek permission before you bring out a notebook, camera or recorder.
20. Learn who is in authority. Ask when and where to expect trouble.
21. Balance risks against benefits before going anywhere dangerous. Relocate to a safer place.
If you get into trouble:
22. Contact your district union and the PFUJ hotline and alert colleagues, editors, friends and family.
23. If detained, explain your role as a civilian journalist.
24. Never resist if you are kept hostage or someone holds you at gunpoint.
Do you have suggestions to improve these? if so please let me know.......
Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
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