Carry First Aid, Stay Neutral: Press Council Issues New Rules for Protest Coverage

• Movement and Positioning: Journalists are urged to maintain a reasonable distance from clashes and move through crowds using short steps to avoid falling or being trampled. They must continuously reassess their position relative to protesters, counter-protesters, and police.
• Situational Awareness: Reporters should constantly scan their surroundings for changes in crowd noise, behavioral shifts, or emerging hazards.
• Escape Planning: It is critical to identify and keep a mental map of nearby exits, open streets, and sidewalks. In the event of tear gas or smoke, journalists should use visible landmarks to exit the area without pushing deeper into the crowd.
• Equipment Etiquette: The guidelines explicitly forbid attaching cameras or recording gear to police vehicles or barricades in any manner that obstructs movement or damages property.

The Essential Survival Kit

The PCI recommends that journalists be self-sufficient during assignments. A compact kit should be carried, containing:

• First aid supplies and basic medical knowledge.
• Water, snacks, and a flashlight.
• A washcloth and eye protection.
• Protective headgear and body armor, depending on the perceived level of threat.

Crucially, the Council warns journalists to never touch smoke grenades, flash-bang devices, or tear-gas canisters.

Conduct and Professionalism

To avoid unnecessary friction with authorities and the public, the Council has outlined a code of conduct for those in the field:

Journalists must carry and visibly display valid identity cards from their organizations or PIB/DIP accreditation. To prevent accidents in tight crowds, it is advised to secure lanyards so they do not get entangled. When interacting with law enforcement, journalists should identify themselves calmly, comply with lawful safety instructions, and maintain strict neutrality without provoking confrontations or taking sides.

Ethics and Responsible Reporting

Beyond physical safety, the Press Council emphasized the need for journalistic integrity. The guidelines stress that the pressure for "exclusive footage" or live-broadcast commitments must never override personal safety.

Verification and Impartiality

The Council urges reporters to distinguish verified facts from mere allegations. Statements from government authorities, police, and protesters should all be subjected to equal scrutiny and clearly attributed. Furthermore, journalists are advised to describe observable actions rather than assuming the motives of the people involved.

Sensitivity and Security

Special care must be taken when filming private citizens in distress, injured individuals, or minors. Additionally, for security reasons, journalists are instructed not to publish real-time police positions or escape routes if such information could compromise safety.

Coordination and Support

The guidelines also place responsibility on newsrooms and freelance networks to ensure no journalist is left stranded:

• Newsrooms: Organizations should appoint a specific point of contact to monitor the location of their reporters and manage emergency responses.
• Freelancers: Independent journalists are encouraged to share their assignment plans, locations, and expected return times with a trusted editor or contact.
• Institutional Coordination: For planned events, media houses should coordinate with public information officers and police to establish communication protocols and designated media staging areas.