How to Cover a Riot for the TV News

Riots happen occasionally in our society. When they do, the TV news runs headfirst into the storm. Most reporters are ill prepared for the experience. Journalists are used to getting respect from police and the public. During a riot, the rules of society evaporate. Journalists enjoy no special protection, real or implied. Rioters are emboldened to attack journalists without fear of reprisals. Police are often in a frenzy themselves, attacking all perceived threats, including journalists. Private citizens often are armed and shooting to protect themselves and their property. Danger is everywhere.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Prepare yourself for the worst. Take as many people to the scene with you as you can. You can watch one another's backs when things get rough. Everyone needs a fully charged cell phone and media identification. Some stations have bulletproof vests and gas masks. If they are available to you, take them with you.

2. Keep lines of communication open with the station. Arrange a designated point person who always knows where you are. Check in with him periodically. That way, if you miss a check-in time, he will know to look for you and your last known location.

3. Clearly identify yourself to police. Let officers know who you are and that you are there to do your job. Police tend to see everyone in a riot as a troublemaker. If you are hanging around a rioting crowd, you could get caught in the melee. Officers swinging batons and firing tear gas aren't thinking about journalists in the way. Wear marked clothing with your station logo so it is easy to identify you as a journalist.

4. Know where the trouble spots are. The police should have a command center where they are keeping track of the riot. Someone from your station must be in constant contact with the command center and convey the information to you immediately. Riots are best covered from the edges of the rioting. That way, you can see what is happening but not get sucked into it. Knowing where trouble spots are enables you to find the riot while avoiding becoming a victim.

5. Let protesters know that you are there to show their side of the story. Ideally, they will see you as an ally and not attack you. Being assaulted is a real danger. In riots, photographers often are robbed of their cameras and news vehicles often are overturned and set on fire. If you enlist allies among rioters, they may protect you from other rioters. There are significant risks dealing with rioters, so use common sense and err on the side of caution.

6. Shoot crimes from a discrete distance. In riots, you will witness vandalism, assault and looting. All of this should be shot by your photographer. If the rioters see you taping their illegal activities, they will turn on you. Do your best to stay hidden when witnessing crimes during a riot.

7. Take off if things get hot. You are not being brave by staying is a dangerous riot situation. Staying would be stupid. No story is worth your life, and you can't cover the story from a hospital or morgue. If you feel as if you are in danger, leave the scene immediately. News managers want you to do this, as well. They don't want a hurt reporter, and they don't want to replace equipment destroyed in a riot.

8. Do not fight with rioters. If they want your camera, wallet or news vehicle, give it to them. Rioters are not rational, and they might kill you if you resist. Equipment can be replaced. Your life cannot be.

Tips & Warnings

• Riots are unpredictable. Everything can be calm one minute then erupt into chaos the next. An eruption is usually provoked by a single rioter taking a bold action. This can be a bottle thrown at police or a trash can tossed through a window. The action inspires other rioters to follow suit. When you see this happening, cover it from a reasonable distance. The trouble will spread like a fire from the epicenter. Watch as this happens, and back up to stay clear of danger. If you look around and there is rioting all around you, you are in trouble.