“Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) for journalists” is a ten-part series developed by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Silk Road Training and Exile Hub. This second article offers practical strategies for navigating protests or unrest safely, reading the mood of the crowd, handling interactions with security forces, and exiting volatile areas while avoiding injury or arrest.
Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) is a comprehensive safety training course covering core areas of preparedness for journalists working in high-risk environments. It includes preparedness for civil unrest, conflict zones, hostile environment first aid, vehicle safety, and digital security. Whether reporting alone or with a team, journalists must be prepared to adapt quickly in fast-changing, unpredictable environments. Understanding crowd dynamics, maintaining clear communication, and recognising warning signs can significantly reduce risks on the ground.
1 – Move smart: understanding crowd behaviour
Crowds are volatile. A peaceful gathering can escalate rapidly due to environmental triggers, agitators, or clashes with security forces. Large groups experience “deindividuation,” where people act impulsively due to a sense of anonymity provided by the crowd.
- Maintain 360º awareness. Observe both police and protester behaviour, watch for mood shifts, and identify changes in tone and movement.
- Stay mobile and avoid getting trapped. Stick to the edges or elevated positions, using street furniture or natural cover for safety.
- Coordinate with a team. Assign roles, including a designated back watcher, and communicate regularly about potential escape routes.
- Avoid dehumanising language and assumptions. Treat people as individuals to maintain personal accountability and reduce hostility.
2 – Manage encounters with police and armed forces
Police tactics vary but often include surveillance, containment, and crowd dispersal methods. Journalists must prepare for exposure to force, surveillance, or detention.
- Know the tactics. Police may use kettling, snatch squads, baton charges, water cannons, and tear gas. Learn how these operate in the coverage area.
- Signal quickly. If exposed to tear gas, shout “GAS, GAS, GAS” to alert team members. Move upwind to open space, avoid enclosed areas, and ensure bodies and clothes are off-gas before entering buildings.
- Keep a low profile. Know the legal rights of the press in the area. Filming may identify protesters and put them at risk, so handle footage with care.
- Back up data often. Regularly change memory cards and upload footage to the cloud. Conceal cards when not in use in case devices are seized or damaged.
- Stay clear. Do not block exit routes or obstruct police operations unnecessarily. Maintain a non-threatening posture and avoid gestures that may escalate tension.
3 – Plan a safe exit
Knowing when and how to leave can prevent serious harm. Plan an exit in advance and act decisively when the situation turns.
- Stay physically connected. When tensions rise, stay in close contact with team members. Lock arms or move as a tight unit if needed.
- Signal danger early. Communicate clearly and take short, deliberate steps to stay balanced. Keep one hand free to shield your head.
- Stay calm and neutral. Avoid sudden movements or gestures that may be misinterpreted. Use a neutral stance and calm body language.
- Know your fallback points. If working alone, plan several safe escape routes ahead of time. Consider nearby buildings, side streets, or pre-arranged meeting spots with team members.
This article is based on the content of a three-day HEAT training conducted by Silk Road Training and organised by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in partnership with Exile Hub.
Silk Road Training offers online and in-person HEAT training led by expert trainers with over 20 years of training and security advisory experience globally to help media professionals and frontline journalists build life-saving skills in high-risk areas.
Exile Hub supports human rights defenders and media professionals facing persecution from the Myanmar junta, helping them continue their work safely through tailored assistance, safe housing, counselling, and skills training.
