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WATCH: Safety for Photojournalists Attending Protests
Since May 26th, there have been 291 recorded incidents of police attacks on journalists covering the George Floyd protests around the country. That...
Since May 26th, there have been 291 recorded incidents of police attacks on journalists covering the George Floyd protests around the country. That amounts to a staggering average of 19.4 events per day. We have seen journalists wrongfully arrested, shot with rubber bullets and pepper spray, and clubbed by authorities—as many of them helplessly flash press passes and identify themselves as members of the press.
Attacks on the press violate the First Amendment and here at PhotoShelter we are committed to keeping a close eye on any such events. But recording attacks is only one piece of the puzzle. What else can be done during such unprecedented times? The press can and should be equipped with the necessary tools to protect themselves and fellow journalists.
Joined by NPPA’s Executive Director Akili Ramsess, Director of Newsroom Digital Security at Freedom of the Press Foundation Harlo Holmes, and founder and executive director of Global Journalist Security Frank Smyth, our latest webinar featured a panel discussion all about protective measures photojournalists should take when photographing protests.
Watch to learn:
- Preparatory steps photographers should take BEFORE they cover a protest
- Digital and physical security tips to help everyone stay safe
- How best to handle press credentials in intense situations
- How to handle usage rights (hint: don’t give photos away for free!!)
On-Demand Webinar: Safety for Photojournalists Attending Protests
You can find the full transcript here. It has been lightly edited for clarity.
Resources Mentioned with Timestamps
4:37 – US Press Freedom Tracker via Freedom of the Press Foundation & CPJ
15:05 – Clearview AI via The New York Times
21:40 – NPPA’s General Counsel Mickey Osterreicher
22:55 – Educating law enforcement via NPPA
23:03 – Press Freedom Defense Fund
23:12 – First Look Media
23:32 – Legal Defense Initiative
25:30 – Ga. Coalition: Journalists Attacked, Arrested On U.S. Streets As Protests Escalate via WABE
26:13 – NPPA urges accountability for police who violate journalists’ rights
31:41 – CNN’s Omar Jiminez arrest
42:15 – Why Darnella Frazier Is the Most Influential Filmmaker of the Century via The Wrap
42:52 – NPPA press credentials
44:00 – NPPA safety and awareness tips
45:30 – Signal app
47:56 – Wire app
49:15 – goTenna
52:38 – Know Your Rights If Stopped for Photographing in Public via ACLU
53:15 – Mickey’s number
55:56 – Todd Bigelow on Getting Your Personal Project Published
56:41 – NPPA Business Calculator
56:51 – Todd Bigelow
58:07 – Lesson for all young photojournalists via Todd Bigelow Twitter
1:00:13 – Mention of Reuters providing PPE and rental cars to photogs via Petapixel
1:00:44 – NPPA emergency relief fund for photographers
1:05:13 – NPPA student membership
1:07:34 – Instagram’s Moral Imperative
1:10:49 – WITNESS
1:15:42 – The Photographer’s Guide to Inclusive Photography
Additional Resources
- NPPA’s Code of Ethics
- How to Protest Without Sacrificing Your Digital Privacy (VICE)
- Race Reporting Guide (Race Forward)
- The Western Gaze: On Photojournalism & Challenging Harmful Representations (Tara Pixley for PhotoVoice)
- CPJ Safety Advisory: Covering U.S. protests over police violence
- 23 guidelines for journalists to safely cover protests this weekend (Al Tompkins for Poynter)
- Physical Safety: Civil Disorder (Committee to Protect Journalists)
- The International Women’s Media Foundation’s Suggested Protective Equipment for Journalists Covering Protest/Riots
- How to Safely and Ethically Film Police Misconduct (Human Rights org WITNESS for Teen Vogue)
- CPJ Safety Kit
- How journalists can work from home securely (Freedom of the Press Foundation)
- PhotoShelter’s statement on racial injustice
- Police are Attacking Journalists at Protests. We’re Suing. (ACLU)
- Roughed Up, Zip-Tied, and Under Arrest: Female photographers on documenting the George Floyd protests. (via ELLE)
- NPPA urges accountability for police who violate journalists’ rights
- Violence towards the media is on the rise. Here are tips to stay aware and safe while working on the street. (via NPPA)
- Safety, prep and knowing your rights (via Reynolds Journalism Institute)
- How to Flush Your Eyes if You’re Tear Gassed (via lifehacker)
- PhotoShelter Webinar Thread
Have more questions about how journalists can stay safe during a protest? Tweet @photoshelter — we want to keep this conversation going.