25 guidelines for journalists to safely cover unrest

Your goal should be to get close enough to observe the scene without endangering yourself or others, or interfering with security or rescue operations

We’re republishing this 2021 safety guidance for journalists amid renewed unrest and deadly confrontations involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.

A mob that laid siege to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 quickly identified the journalists assigned to cover the attack as targets. Reporters on the scene were threatened, harassed and physically assaulted. Later that evening, police briefly arrested two journalists while their cameras rolled.

Journalists will likely continue to find themselves in harm’s way as they document turbulent stories. Poynter has prepared a handout of safety guidelines (updated from a previous list for covering 2020’s protests) for you to use and circulate to staff.

Some of these guidelines have been adapted from the Radio Television Digital News Association Coverage Guidelines, the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.