14 December 2001 – As the death of eight journalists in Afghanistan has demonstrated all too clearly, war reporting is and always has been a dangerous business. It is therefore welcome news that 14 television companies and news agencies have now signed up to a code of practice designed to offer as much protection and support for journalists in the field as can reasonably be expected. It is a far cry from my own remembered experiences during the Nigerian civil war in the late 1960s when there were no flak jackets or helmets, no insurance, no training, no protected vehicles – and certainly no advice from the newsdesk not to put oneself in harm’s way. Journalists died in that conflict, too, and in many others.
The code had its origins in November 2000 when the BBC, ITN, CNN, Reuters and APTN formed the News Security Group to establish common guidelines to protect their journalists working in the field. They have now been joined by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ABC News, CBC News, CBS News, NBC News, NOS (Netherlands), TF1 (France), TV2 (Norway) and 3 News (New Zealand).
This development is long overdue, and PressWise would urge all news organisations to sign up to it without further delay. For it is noticeable that the list of signatories contains not a single newspaper. Are print journalists and photographers less worthy of support, training and protection than their television colleagues?
Bill Norris
Associate Director
Code of Practice, adopted by the News Security Group in 2001 to protect frontline journalists in war. The group comprises the following 14 broadcast television companies and news agencies: BBC, ITN, CNN, Reuters, APTN, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ABC News, CBC News, CBS News, NBC News, NOS (Netherlands), TF1 (France), TV2 (Norway) and 3 News (New Zealand).
The preservation of human life and safety is paramount. Staff and freelancers should be made aware that unwarranted risks in pursuit of a story are unacceptable and must be strongly discouraged. Assignments to war zones or hostile environments must be voluntary and should only involve experienced newsgatherers and those under their direct supervision.
All staff and freelancers asked to work in hostile environments must have access to appropriate safety training and retraining. Employers are encouraged to make this mandatory.
Employers must provide efficient safety equipment to all staff and freelancers assigned to hazardous locations, including personal issue kevlar vest/jackets, protective headgear and properly protected vehicles if necessary.
All staff and freelances should be afforded personal insurance while working in hostile areas including cover against death and personal injury.
Employers to provide and encourage the use of voluntary and confidential counselling for staff and freelances returning from hostile areas or after the coverage of distressing events. (This is likely to require some training of managers in the recognition of the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder.)
Media companies and their representatives are neutral observers. No member of the media should carry a firearm in the course of their work.
We will work together to establish a databank of safety information, including the exchange of up to date safety assessments of hostile and dangerous areas.
We will work with other broadcasters and other organisations to safeguard journalists in the field.
(Bulletin No 56)