New Delhi [India], October 16 (ANI): In view of the prevailing scenario and the need to facilitate the orderly and effective coverage, the Press Council of India, at its meeting held on October 15, adopted the “Guidelines for Journalists Covering Protests and Demonstrations.”
According to a release by the council, the guidelines seek to facilitate the effective discharge of journalistic duties while promoting the safety of media personnel, responsible reporting and better coordination among journalists, media organisations and law enforcement authorities.
On conduct, the Council advised journalists to carry valid identity cards issued by their organisations and/or PIB/DIP accreditation, and to keep them visibly displayed, securing lanyards to avoid entanglement in crowds. Journalists should calmly identify themselves to law enforcement personnel, maintain neutrality, not take sides or provoke confrontations, and comply with lawful instructions, particularly those issued for safety reasons.
On safety, the guidelines ask journalists to keep a reasonable distance from confrontations, move carefully through crowds and continuously reassess their position. The guidelines also include not attaching cameras or recording equipment to police barricades, vehicles, or other equipment in ways that obstruct movement or damage property. “Move carefully through crowds, taking short steps to reduce the risk of falling or being trampled. Continuously reassess your position in relation to protesters, counter-protesters, police, and other potential sources of danger,” it said.
The release said that journalists should continuously scan their surroundings for changes in crowd behaviour, approaching individuals, potential confrontations, changes in crowd noises, and emerging hazards. They should keep an escape route in mind and update it as conditions change. Identify nearby exits, open streets, sidewalks, and safe locations. In smoke or tear gas, use visible landmarks and safe routes to leave the affected area without moving deeper into the crowd.
Journalists are also advised to carry a compact kit with first aid supplies, water, snacks, a flashlight, a washcloth and eye protection, and to consider protective headgear and body armour depending on the assessed threat. They should learn basic first aid and never touch tear-gas canisters, flash-bang devices or smoke grenades.
On coordination, newsrooms should designate a point of contact to monitor journalists’ locations and respond to emergencies, while freelancers should ensure a trusted editor or contact knows their location, assignment plan and expected return time. For planned demonstrations, media organisations should coordinate with police and public information officers to clarify communication protocols and designated media staging areas, the release said.
On ethics, the Council urged journalists to report accurately and impartially, distinguish verified facts from allegations and unconfirmed claims, and verify information through multiple sources. Statements from protesters, organisers, police and government authorities should receive equal journalistic scrutiny, with claims clearly attributed.
The guidelines said that journalists should not publish real-time police positions or escape routes if it could compromise safety, should describe observable actions rather than assume motives, and should take particular care when filming minors, injured people and private citizens in distress. The Council added that equipment, live-broadcast commitments or pressure to obtain exclusive footage must not override safety. (ANI)
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