A Small Guide for Reporters at Protests

Right to Record: Everyone has the right to record a police intervention, and a police officer cannot prohibit this – especially not a journalist.

Phone: A police officer does not have the right to confiscate your phone. If they request it, refuse to hand it over. If they do confiscate your phone and refuse to return it, report the incident to the first police supervisor you encounter.

Digital Security: Always keep your phone locked (preferably with a password). More information on data protection on your phone can be found in the following text.

Communication: Be polite and calm to avoid creating a secondary problem. Although they often wear masks today, police officers are legally obligated to identify themselves when taking action against you. Insist that they show their identification.

Documentation: If you are unable to record or photograph, ask a colleague or someone present to document your interaction with the police.

At a Protest: Never stand between the police cordon and the demonstrators, especially when the police are moving in to intervene. You may be knocked down or struck. Always stand to the side – this way you are safer and able to report.

Prominent Identification: A press vest helps to identify you as a journalist in a crowd, but only identification confirms your status – display both.

Equipment: If it appears that the protest you are covering may turn violent, it is important to have, in addition to your press vest, a hard helmet (marked with the word press), protective glasses, and a protective (gas) mask against tear gas and pepper spray, knee and elbow pads, saline solution, and a bottle of water with baking soda, an external battery for your phone, and a camera...

Journalist Responsibilities: Follow police orders. Being a journalist does not mean you can move wherever you want. Always carry an ID card and show it upon request – it is a public document, while the press identification is internal.

In Case of an Attack: If you are physically attacked, immediately stop working and seek medical assistance.  MANDATORILY state that you were injured by the police – doctors often write that the injuries were caused by "unknown individuals." If this is omitted, request a new report. By law, the doctor is obligated to notify the police, who must come to the medical facility. To them, state only the basics: that you were attacked by the police while reporting, and that you will provide a detailed statement to the Internal Control Department and the competent prosecutor's office.

THE MOST IMPORTANT!!! Nothing is more important than your safety. No shot, photo, or story is worth more than your health.

HOW TO PROTECT DATA ON YOUR PHONE

If a journalist's phone ends up in the hands of someone from the security forces who wants to abuse their official position, keep these tips in mind:

If possible, use two phones. For events like current street protests, bring a spare phone that you will use solely for communication in the field. Leave the other one at home.

If you have only one phone, make sure to secure it with a strong password.

If you find yourself at a police station and suspect that someone may misuse data from your phone, do not disclose your password. You are not obligated to do so, and you can always say that you forgot it.

Make sure that before you exercise your right to have your loved ones informed about your whereabouts, first seek legal protection, i.e., your lawyer, because the presence of a lawyer significantly reduces the chances of abuse. They should monitor every action taken against you.

If possible, use Apple phones or newer generation Android phones.

If you suspect that your phone has been exposed to any unlawful hacking by officials, contact a civil organization such as the SHARE Foundation. They have good IT forensics that can detect whether your phone has been targeted by software programs.

Source: Cenzolovka