The journalists with the facilitators from WAJSIC in a group photo
The Whistleblowers and Journalists Safety International Centre (WAJSIC) has organised a four-day intensive workshop on Hostile Environment Awareness and Management to equip journalists with the practical skills needed to operate safely in conflict-prone and unpredictable environments.
The training, which began on Tuesday, October 14, and is expected to conclude on Friday, October 17, 2025, brought together over 20 participants from Ghana and other African countries.
The workshop sought to enhance journalists’ capacity to assess risks, plan safe travel routes, manage communication effectively, and make sound decisions in high-risk situations.
Facilitators guided participants through critical topics such as risk assessment, travel and communication planning, and crisis response.
The sessions also covered first aid procedures for major bleeding, airway management, respiration, circulation, head injuries, and hypothermia.
Safety experts Mr Alistair Hollington and Mr Chris Mitchell of the Lazarus Group urged participants to remain calm and discreet during crises to avoid unnecessary exposure to danger.
Mr Hollington advised journalists to prioritise personal safety, stressing that, “The best way to stay safe is to leave the scene if possible.”
He added that journalists should always inform a trusted contact about their movements to enable swift tracing in emergencies.
“There should be someone in your organisation 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 said.
He further encouraged journalists to develop situational awareness, describing it as “the conscious effort to observe and understand everything happening around you.”
Mr Mitchell, for his part, cautioned journalists against excessive phone use while on assignment, noting that distractions can reduce awareness and increase exposure to danger.
“Before you go into any crisis, know how you’ll get out. Don’t be too focused on your phone — it distracts you from sensing danger,” he advised.
He also discouraged covering protests or volatile events without a clear exit plan or familiarity with the terrain.
Stressing the importance of solidarity, he added, “Be each other’s keeper. Vigilance and teamwork can save lives.”
Some participants who spoke in separate interviews described the training as insightful and transformative.
“I didn’t know much about handling hostile situations. I often find myself caught in crises during demonstrations. This training has opened my eyes,” said one participant identified only as TK.
WAJSIC is an international organisation dedicated to promoting the safety, rights, and well-being of journalists and whistleblowers worldwide.
It provides training, legal assistance, and crisis support to media professionals working in high-risk environments, with the mission of strengthening press freedom and protecting those who speak truth to power.
The workshop forms part of WAJSIC’s broader efforts to enhance the resilience, preparedness, and safety awareness of journalists, particularly those operating in contexts where their freedom and security remain under constant threat.
