'Safety first' rule not enough for reporters covering war zones

Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Legendary photographer Robert Capa once said: "If your picture's not good enough, you're not close enough".

The remark has become a guideline for photographers and journalists covering armed conflicts.

The question is, how close is close enough?

Many journalists have been murdered or abducted in war zones, with the latest being the seven-day abduction of Metro TV journalist Meutya Hafid and cameraman Budiyanto in war-torn Iraq.

Is this something unavoidable, or can journalists prepare for these risks?

Extensive training and preparation cannot guarantee the safety of reporters covering war zones, according to two local journalists with extensive experience covering armed conflicts.

"It's no-man's land; there are no rules. Even if we go with a 'safety-first' rule, anything can happen to any of us at random," Rommy Fibri of Tempo weekly magazine told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

However, Rommy, who has covered the United States occupation of Iraq three times since 2003, said that there are some preparations that journalists going into war zones can do to minimize risk.

Aside from all-condition shoes and outfits, journalists must be equipped with extensive knowledge on the region being covered.

"I brought with me books on how to cover conflict areas, books written by experienced journalists, a dictionary, and clippings. The more information the better," he said.

Links and contacts must also be prepared to make it easier for journalists to, for instance, hire interpreters.

As for bullet-proof vests, Rommy gave up wearing them even though his office provides one.

"The vest is long and very stiff; it's very uncomfortable and hampers your mobility. The greenish color also makes it similar to an Iraqi military uniform.

"I thought, even if I was wearing it I could still be shot dead. So I didn't even bother to bring it on my last visit to Iraq last June," Rommy recalled.

By way of contrast, M. Nasir from the Kompas daily witnessed his colleague have a close call in a gunfight in East Timor in 1999, saved by his bullet-proof vest.

"The vest is indeed very stiff, but for the sake of safety I always wear it," said Nasir who has covered several dangerous conflicts, including Bosnia, East Timor and Afghanistan.

Nasir also advised journalists to bring a lot of extra money, aside from canned food and snacks.

"If you go by land, every check point will ask you for money. Not to mention hoodlums on the streets."

Both Rommy and Nasir, however, did not bother to check on their insurance, as they were sure their offices would cover them.

Rommy said journalists must come up with scenarios and contingency plans.

"You have to really show respect to local people. Meet the local tribal chief and clerics, as they are often more powerful than state officials.

"Also, bring photographs showing your human side, such as pictures of your wife and children. Different prayer books for different sects are also essential to have," Rommy said.

To avoid being robbed in Iraq, Rommy said that it was important to pick the right car to be rented, the right car number plate, and an appropriate driver.

"Get an Iraqi driver. Don't rent cars with Jordanian plates and driver because Iraqis dislike Jordanians as they are believed not to be against the American occupation," Rommy said.

SUVs and other fancy vehicles will get you mugged, or even abducted, as almost happened to Rommy.

Unfortunately for TV journalists, he added, they were assumed to be rich so that their cars could be stopped anytime.

Whatever happens while covering war, Nasir said that safety must always come first.

"You have to prepare yourself mentality. You don't know who you will face," he said.

However, no matter how dangerous it is, hotel room journalism, where journalists only monitor the war from the comfort of their hotel rooms, is not an option.

"Monitoring the media and reading is a good thing to do, because we can be shortsighted in the field, not knowing the big picture. But the point of going to (conflict zones) is to observe at close range. So you must try to get outside no matter how dangerous it might be," Nasir said.