Training

Journalist and media safety training

Reporting from the front line, a protest or a fragile region carries real risk. Our hostile environment training prepares journalists, producers and crews to work safely, make good decisions under pressure, and come home.

We work with newsrooms, production companies and freelancers. Training is delivered at Bylaugh Hall, London and other locations, or in house, and is tailored to where your teams are heading.

Journalist and media training

Staying safe in high risk environments

Journalists are increasingly sent into places where the risks are real and fast changing, from conflict zones to protests and elections. Courses are led by Katey Martin and Becks Cant MSc, both highly experienced hostage and crisis negotiators, supported by specialists including explosive hazard experts.

Before deployment, teams learn how to plan properly: assessing the risks of a location, setting up communications and check in plans, and recognising when a story isn't worth the risk. In the field, the training covers moving safely through crowds and protests, handling checkpoints and hostile encounters, recognising explosive hazards, and what to do if detained or kidnapped.

Digital security runs throughout, because a compromised phone or laptop can put sources and colleagues at risk as well as the journalist.

Everything is practical, realistic and grounded in real situations, and can be tailored for staff correspondents, producers, camera crews and freelancers, helping media organisations meet their duty of care to everyone they send.