CIVIL UNREST
RESOURCE
Following the storming of the US Capitol Building in Washington DC on 6th January 2021, ACOS partners released a series of civil unrest safety advisories, webinars and resources for journalists and editors.
Covering everything from risk assessment and planning to situational awareness and on-the-ground tactics, these resources provide valuable information and guidance for any protest situation.
SAFETY CHECKLISTS & ADVISORIES
Safety Advisory - Committee To Protect Journalists
Includes information and advice on digital safety and planning for civil unrest, physical safety, including equipment and clothing; situational awareness re. authorities and protestors; on the ground positioning and how to deal with tear gas. Also includes advice on COVID-19 transmission.
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Safety Checklist for Editors - HP Risk Management
This safety checklist was produced to help commissioners and editors consider the risks that journalists and other media workers may be exposed to as they cover political gatherings, demonstrations, protests and/or rallies in the build up to the USA Presidential inauguration, and includes a COVID-19 Checklist.
WEBINARS
1. Strategies for Safely Covering Civil Unrest
International Women's Media Foundation
Led by Jeff Belzil, IWMF's Director of Security, and Corinne Chin from the Seattle Times, this webinar prepares journalists to cover civil unrest in the US and how to report safely with police and political extremist presences. Includes general tactics used by extremist groups, PPE and police crowd tactics. Moderated by Maria Alejandra Silva Ortega from IWMF.
2. Covering Street Protests & Civil Unrest
Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma
Led by Judith Matloff, a veteran reporter and the Dart Center's senior safety advisor, this 90 minute workshop covers risk assessment and situational awareness as well as practical strategies and tactics for preparing to cover civil disturbances. Topics include protective gear, positioning in a crowd, how to deal with tear gas, rubber bullets and other riot and crowd control tactics.
3. Navigating the New Safety Landscape
ACOS Alliance
Produced in December 2020, this webinar explores how freelance journalists and editors responded to the pressures of covering COVID-19 and the protests in the USA and Latin America.
Moderated by David Rohde of the New Yorker, it features freelance photojournalist Vanessa Charlot; Beth Flynn, Deputy Picture Editor at The New York Times; Guillermo Galdós, freelance filmmaker and Latin America correspondent, Channel 4 News, and award-winning freelance filmmaker Mike Shum.