INSI reads the riot act

AN international organisation dedicated to media safety has issued a ‘civil disturbance checklist’ for news crews covering the UK riots.

The International News Safety Institute said in a statement it was concerned by attacks on journalists, as police struggle to contain violence and looting across England. The group has issued a list of recommended actions and equipment for journalists to protect themselves against rioters and police responses including tear gas.

Police have called the London riots the worst in living memory in the city, and the violence has spread to other parts of the UK. On Tuesday, hundreds of masked youths smashed windows, looted and set fire to shops and cars, and threw missiles at police. Unrest has also spread to Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol and Leeds.

Some London-based media organisations have hired security teams to protect their journalists, INSI said.

“INSI has heard reports that photographers have been beaten up and their cameras stolen. Elsewhere, news crews have had the windows of their vehicles broken, and cameramen have had their equipment smashed by protesters,” the group said. “Others have found themselves caught between rioters and police, when missiles were being thrown.”

The group has published a set of guidelines for media workers covering the unrest:

WHAT TO DO:

• Plan in advance
• Establish pre-arranged contact points with the rest of your team if you are separating; though where possible try and stay together
• Always carry press identification but conceal it if it attracts unwarranted attention
• Bring a mobile 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. The use of flats and buildings to report is common-place, but ensure exit is possible and does not become obstructed.
• 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

WHAT TO BRING:

1. Baseball bump cap (head protection in form of a baseball cap)
2. Standard eyeshields
3. Goggles (to provide protection against tear gas)
4. Footwear: boots with non-stick sole and ankle protection
5. Personal first aid kit
6. Knee pads
7. Ear plugs

ALSO CONSIDER:

1. Stab-resistant vest
2. Flame-retardant spray
3. Flame-retardant underwear
4. Steel toe cap footwear
5. High-visibility vest
6. Hand protection