The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP) and the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) conducted last week a 4-day training of journalists from various parts of the country on ensuring physical safety.
The training, held in Subic Bay, Zambales on October 10-13 and attended by some 25 journalists nationwide, including participants from Palawan News, involved a workshop on “risk-mapping” and skills training to ensure personal security when journalist work under risky conditions and environments, such as war reporting or covering conflict areas.
Kath Cortez, NUJP safety trainer, said they conducted the training to address the risks that journalists are facing in their line of work.
“Sa Philippine journalism recently madami ‘yong na-record na attack towards journalists,” she said.
“Tinuturuan natin ang mga journalists na somehow maging aware na may mga ganoong risks sa bawat mga trabaho natin at ito ang pwedeng gawin para hindi naman tumaas halimbawa ‘yong killing, harassment sa araw-araw,” she added.
The training covered topics including risk management, weapons awareness, dealing with the hostile crowds, surveillance, surviving captivity and hostage survival, emergency medical training, vehicle checkpoints, digital security, journalism and trauma, and self-defense.