Living in Dangerous Times

Survival tips for journalists
Living in Dangerous Times
By Junette B. Galagala

N THE Philippines, where some journalists regard libel suits as badges of honor, threats are seen as part of the journalist’s territory.  But in a country that has been ranked as the second most dangerous place in the world for journalists, it would do well for media members to take such threats seriously.
Addressing the rising incidence of threats and attacks against the press, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) launched last Dec. 19 “20 Steps to Safety,” an awareness campaign promoting the security and safety of journalists. The event was held at the Newsdesk Café, Quezon City.
A local affiliate of the Brussels-based International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), NUJP is among the various media groups involved in fighting for the protection of press freedom in the Philippines.
Starting with a “20 Steps to Safety” poster, the campaign provides helpful information to journalists who receive threats because of their work.
But one of the problems among Filipino journalists, said NUJP secretary-general Rowena Carranza Paraan, is the tendency to regard threats as an inescapable part of the job.
“Ang napansin kasi namin, iyong ibang journalists, ang tingin nila sa mga threats, they come with the job. ‘Pag nagreklamo ka, lumipat ka ng trabaho.” Paraan said. For some media practitioners, threats are even considered as a status symbol rather than a violation of press freedom and human rights, she said.
Journalists receive threats for various reasons. These may include, as Paraan said, problems with a journalist’s sense of ethical and professional responsibi-lities. But some journalists, despite accurate and responsible reporting of issues, still get death threats from subjects who are onion-skinned.
The NUJP also aims to educate the public regarding journalists’ safety.
Paraan said the public must be made to understand that if journalists are barred from reporting certain stories, it is the public that is deprived of its right to know.
The NUJP poster contains tips on safety precautions, especially when a journalist receives threats. Among the pointers is docu-menting the threat accurately.  It also shows the need to seek the assistance of one’s family, friends in media, and the police, if they can be trusted.
Along with NUJP, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and other media organizations have worked to promote press freedom in the country. Recently, CMFR led journalists in filing a civil class suit against presidential spouse Jose Miguel Arroyo. The press freedom groups felt that the libel suits filed by Arroyo were aimed not at protecting his reputation, but in instilling fear among journalists.
CMFR, which started in 1991 its database of  journalists and media practitioners slain in the line of duty, is a member of the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists, Inc. (FFFJ) network and serves as its secretariat in the Philippines. FFFJ was established in 2003 to provide support for journalists facing attacks. Its other members include the Center for Community Journalism and Development, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, the Philippine Center for Investiga-tive Journalism, Philippine Press Institute, and the California-based paper Philippine News.
FFFJ has already published two editions of Staying Alive, a journalist’s handbook on safety.  The manual reviews journalism ethics and lists steps in addressing excesses by media practitioners.
The handbook also lists guidelines for covering dange-rous posts, on what to do when being searched, arrested or when in detention.
CMFR has documented 61 killings of journalists and media practitioners since 1986, around half of whom were murdered during Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s presidency. More than six journalists were killed each year in the last four years,  CMFR database shows.

Safety tips for journalists
•     Report a threat to the police.  It is better if you and your editor make the report in writing, citing the circumstances, and possible source.
•     Report the threat to the Media Safety Office of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) through any of the NUJP hotlines: 0910 495 0095 for Manila and Luzon; 0910 495 0077 for Visayas; and 0910 495 0094 for Mindanao.
•     Meet unfamiliar contacts in public places and tell your office or trusted colleagues of your plans.
•     Vary your routes and routines. Breaking your usual patterns makes your movement unpredictable for would-be attackers.
•     Get “local intelligence,” i.e. your trusted neighbor, the cigarette vendor across the street, or the guard in your building.  They may have observed something that would help you.
•     Join trainings or briefings on “Risk and Safety Awareness for Journalists” given by NUJP and other media organizations.
•     Know your rights.  Learn the national laws and international covenants that protect newsmen, including the Geneva Conventions as they relate to civilians in war zones. (From the NUJP’s 20 Steps to Safety )

When you receive a threat
•    Write down the exact wording of the threat and the circumstances by which these threats were received—whether by phone or mail, where, how, and what date and time. Journalists need this information when reporting the incident to the police.
•    Never take threats lightly.  Let others know.  Inform family, peers, and superiors about these threats and report them to the police.
•    Make noise.  News organiza-tions should publicize threats journalists receive.  Write an article about it in your newspaper or talk about it in your television or radio programs. Se-ek the support of your local and national press organization.  Report the threat to the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, and the Philippine Press Institute.
•    Take the necessary precautions, whether at home or in the office.  In the event that the threats seem imminent, consider lying low or moving to another place to cool off. (From Staying Alive )
Securing the Newsroom
•     A reporter out in the field must keep the desk informed of his or her whereabouts.  Make sure the desk knows where you are at all times, and that your assignment or travel has the support of your superiors.  Devise a system that will keep the desk informed of your whereabouts every hour, if possible, especially if you are on a dangerous assignment.
•    Avoid storing sensitive information in your office or home computer.  If this cannot be avoided, constantly back up your files to ensure that you keep copies even if thieves or hackers break into your computer.
•    Avoid conducting sensitive interviews or making sensitive conversation over the phone, whether on landline or mobile phones.  With wiretapping technology now easily available, be conscious of the possibility that would-be assassins or attackers are keeping track of a journalist’s work and daily activities. (From Staying Alive )

Comments are closed.