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A new thread for tonight! This one on "Reporting during Civil Disturbances."
I wrote this up bc it seemed like many independent reporters and livestreamers might not have access to safety/ legal considerations, protest reporting techniques, and protective gear 1/10
I wrote this up bc it seemed like many independent reporters and livestreamers might not have access to safety/ legal considerations, protest reporting techniques, and protective gear 1/10
These are written with the assumption that you are working with an entity, whether a news agency, team or reporters, or other affinity group, in the following order.
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS #SC
REPORTING CONSIDERATIONS #RC
REPORTING TECHNIQUES #RT
PROTECTIVE GEAR #PG
2/
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS #SC
REPORTING CONSIDERATIONS #RC
REPORTING TECHNIQUES #RT
PROTECTIVE GEAR #PG
2/
# SG SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS
-Travel with a colleague, especially when filming
- Have a point of contact off-site - ideally this is a contact who works in your newsroom and can verify that you are a reporter for the organization
3/
-Travel with a colleague, especially when filming
- Have a point of contact off-site - ideally this is a contact who works in your newsroom and can verify that you are a reporter for the organization
3/
#SG
- Set guidelines for checking in with the point-of-contact: how often; does it change based on the situation
- Have written guidelines for when it is time to leave the scene
- Don’t turn your back on an advancing police line, unless a significant distance away
4/
- Set guidelines for checking in with the point-of-contact: how often; does it change based on the situation
- Have written guidelines for when it is time to leave the scene
- Don’t turn your back on an advancing police line, unless a significant distance away
4/
#LC LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS
- Know the relevant regulations & ordinances police may attempt to charge you with: trespassing, incommoding the sidewalk, blocking traffic, jaywalking + more
- Stay on the sidewalk if instructed by police unless incapable of reporting from sidewalk 5/
- Know the relevant regulations & ordinances police may attempt to charge you with: trespassing, incommoding the sidewalk, blocking traffic, jaywalking + more
- Stay on the sidewalk if instructed by police unless incapable of reporting from sidewalk 5/
#LC
- Have written protocols for filming protests and the police
- Consider publicly posting documentation of protocols that won’t put reporters at risk
- Carry an ID at all times
- Have your lawyer's number/legal hotline memorized or written on arm
6/
- Have written protocols for filming protests and the police
- Consider publicly posting documentation of protocols that won’t put reporters at risk
- Carry an ID at all times
- Have your lawyer's number/legal hotline memorized or written on arm
6/
#RT REPORTING TECHNIQUES
- shoot in landscape
- hold video shots at least 15-20 seconds before panning to new angles
- record early and keep recording after you think the action has ended
7/
- shoot in landscape
- hold video shots at least 15-20 seconds before panning to new angles
- record early and keep recording after you think the action has ended
7/
#RT
- document police name badges/identifying numbers before the situation becomes tense--it will be easier to cross reference images of calm officers with those officers involved in attacks.
- if livestreaming provide regular updates on what is happening, and why-if you know 8/
- document police name badges/identifying numbers before the situation becomes tense--it will be easier to cross reference images of calm officers with those officers involved in attacks.
- if livestreaming provide regular updates on what is happening, and why-if you know 8/
#PG PROTECTIVE GEAR
- Shatter-proof goggles-ideally skin tight
- Cover arms and legs, heavier/thicker clothing or layers is more likely to reduce the effect of impact munitions
- Boots or running shoes
- Respirator-ideally full-face gas mask in case of teargas/pepper gas/smoke
9/
- Shatter-proof goggles-ideally skin tight
- Cover arms and legs, heavier/thicker clothing or layers is more likely to reduce the effect of impact munitions
- Boots or running shoes
- Respirator-ideally full-face gas mask in case of teargas/pepper gas/smoke
9/
#PG
- Consider a helmet and IIIA body armor/vest
- Label your protective gear with PRESS
- Consider written protocols for having unique markings (such as a colored tape) on protective gear change markings day-to-day
- carry a bottle of water to flush eyes from pepper spray
10/10
- Consider a helmet and IIIA body armor/vest
- Label your protective gear with PRESS
- Consider written protocols for having unique markings (such as a colored tape) on protective gear change markings day-to-day
- carry a bottle of water to flush eyes from pepper spray
10/10
