Thai journalists not trained for hostile situations, writes Surasak Glahan
When an M79 grenade was fired into a crowd of protesters of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) at Don Mueang airport on Tuesday, political reporter Satien Viriyapanpongsa was less than 20 metres away from the site of the explosion. The bomb killed one protester and wounded 22 others.
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| Like reporters, news photographers also had to work in a hostile environment and put up with rough treatment while covering the People’s Alliance for Democracy-led protests at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. News cameramen had to use Suvarnabhumi’s car park as a rest area as they were often discouraged by PAD security guards from taking pictures during the PAD’s week-long seizures of the two airports. SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL |
''My hands went cold. I was in a shock and didn't know what to do.
''So I hit the floor for a few minutes and then tried to stay focused with my reporting on the incident,'' recalled 29-year-old Satien of the Nation Group news agency.
It was his first brush with death.
Fearing further attacks, he decided not to rush to the scene.
''It was a very risky situation. I was aware of the danger, but had no idea which areas would be targeted next,'' he said.
Like Mr Satien, 24-year-old reporter Aukkarapon Niyomyat of the INN news agency, who was also on the PAD beat, was unprepared for the violence, and never thought his job would become similar to that of a ''war correspondent''.
During the PAD's three-month occupation of Government House, Mr Aukkarapon witnessed at least six grenade attacks, all during the night. He would bravely dash to the scene without giving a second thought about further attacks that could follow and the threat to his life.
''I was not afraid. It's a job and I needed to get first-hand information.''
To do their rounds, journalists covering the PAD protests had to walk through checkpoints and bunkers around the compound manned by PAD guards equipped with weapons like sharp metal rods, batons or guns. Like their fellow journalists, the two said they were not prepared or trained for any hostile situations.
During the last few months, the PAD's demonstrations turned more violent with clashes occurring between its supporters and police and the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD). The incidents resulted in many fatalities and injuries.
Then there were a number of bomb attacks against the protesters demonstrating at Government House, Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports, killing and injuring scores of demonstrators.
Some journalists injured during the skirmishes had also been physically and verbally attacked by PAD guards.
Even after these incidents, Mr Satien, Mr Aukkarapon and their fellow journalists were still not provided with any protective equipment such as helmets and flak jackets. They had to ask for masks and helmets from the PAD, which were not enough for everyone.
They said they also had never been trained by experts and experienced war correspondents on what to do and how to go about during violent confrontations.
Roby Alampay of the Southeast Asian Press Alliance said it was important that all news agencies provide training and protective gear such as helmets and flak jackets to journalists before dispatching them on dangerous missions.
''The most basic thing is training for journalists, so they know how to behave and how to move about,'' he said.
In 2008 alone, 34 journalists have been killed globally _ some died in the line of duty in war or conflict zones, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Mr Satien and Mr Aukkarapon said they had never been told by their employers whether life insurance coverage or unconditional reimbursement for medical care was guaranteed should they fall victim to the violence they were covering.
Apart from personal safety, the mental condition of journalists who experience shocking and traumatic events should be observed closely, according to psychiatrist Taweesilp Visanuyothin of the Department of Mental Health.
''They could experience acute stress disorder during the first two weeks, going through depression and insomnia,'' he said.
''If the condition continues longer than a month, they should seek treatment,'' he said.
A few days after the bomb incident, Mr Satien said he was still depressed.
''It keeps haunting me. I feel paranoid and can't get a good night's sleep.'
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