Accra: The Whistleblowers and Journalists Safety International Centre (WAJSIC) has organised a four-day intensive training workshop on Hostile Environment Awareness and Management to equip journalists with practical skills to operate safely in conflict-prone or unpredictable situations. The training, which brought together more than 20 journalists from Ghana and other parts of Africa, was aimed at enhancing journalists' capacity to assess risks, plan for safe travel, manage communication, and make dynamic decisions when working in hostile environments.
According to Ghana News Agency, facilitators took participants through critical areas such as risk assessment, travel and communication planning, and crisis response, as well as first aid for major bleeding, airway management, respiration, circulation, head injuries, and hypothermia. Mr. Alistair Hollington and Mr. Chris Mitchell, safety experts with the Lazarus Group, advised participants to always remain calm and discreet during crises to avoid unnecessary exposure to danger.
Mr. Hollington emphasized that 'the best way to stay safe is to leave the scene, if possible,' adding that journalists should always inform a trusted contact about their travel plans for easy tracing in times of emergencies. 'There should be someone in your institution who knows the breakdown of your trip, someone who listens and can act. When that person cannot reach you, they'll know when and where to start tracing you from,' he explained. He further urged journalists to cultivate situational awareness, describing it as 'the conscious effort to observe and understand everything happening around you.'
Mr. Mitchell, on his part, urged participants to at least know how to get out of any crises before going in, adding, 'Don't be too focused on your phones; they distract you from sensing danger,' he cautioned. He also advised the journalists to avoid covering protests or volatile gatherings if they are unfamiliar with the area or lack a clear exit plan, emphasizing that everyone reacts differently under stress, and urged journalists to look out for one another during assignments. 'Be each other's keeper. Vigilance and teamwork can save lives,' he stressed.
Some participants who shared their experiences with the Ghana News Agency described the training as an eye-opener and a privilege to expand their professional competence. 'I personally didn't know much about how to handle a hostile environment. I usually get involved and sometimes trapped in crises, especially during demonstrations,' a participant stated.
The WAJSIC is an international organization committed to promoting the safety, rights, and wellbeing of journalists and whistleblowers globally, providing training, legal assistance, and crisis support for media professionals operating in high-risk areas, with a mission to strengthen press freedom and protect those who speak truth to power. The WAJSIC workshop forms part of ongoing efforts to build the resilience and security awareness of journalists, particularly those working in environments where their safety and freedom are often threatened.
