大象传媒

What Can Go Wrong?

• Possibility of a hostile reaction to your presence, verbal confrontation or violence.
• Pushing, shoving, being struck by supporters of accused; objections to photographs or filming may be real, violent possibility. 
• Be aware of sensitivities and plan for providing security as appropriate.
• Being jostled for position by fellow reporters or crews.
• Risk of attack from more than one source (i.e. rivals of those accused).
• Being struck by objects or vehicles rapidly leaving or arriving at court.
• Working from height.
• Possible exposure to trauma, long days, weather exposure and lack of welfare facilities.

Legal/大象传媒 Requirements

• Editorial Guidelines apply when reporting on crime.

Control Measures

General Controls

• Research the cases in court that day to help anticipate possible risk factors. Is the accused from a big family or tight community or part of a high profile case?
• Where violence is likely, shots of people entering or leaving building should be made from a safe position.
• Undertake a recce if you have not been to the court before. Plan the filming /recording location on recce or on arrival. Plan for an easy departure.
• Withdraw to a safe location if threatened with violence.
• Presenters and broadcast equipment operators must make themselves aware of slip, trip and fall hazards around them before getting involved in action.
• Consider the use of a second person when working in scrums. Assist each other by back-watching other team members.
• Don't present any risk to the general public, children, elderly, or disabled people by your presence. Ensure cables and equipment do not increase any risks to slipping, tripping or falls.
• Wear appropriate footwear and clothing if you might be there a long time in hot/cold weather. 
• Familiarise yourself with the building, routes in out, toilets, snack bars, vending machines, stairways, bottlenecks and key courtroom staff offices.
• Check the building rules about smoking, use of mobile telephones, emergency arrangements if appropriate.
• Plan your travel route to and from court location and have parking or pick up arrangements that include an alternative.
• Be aware of exits that could be used by vehicles leaving quickly. Choose positions carefully to avoid being struck.
• Stay on pavements if possible and use high visibility jackets (available from Safety Equipment Stores - see Recommended Links) if operating in road or off pavements, particularly in low light conditions.

Division Specific Issues

Journalism (maybe useful to others)

• There may be occasions where a pool arrangement for sharing material with other broadcasters. Consideration should be made to their requirements and working together with third parties including swapping risk assessments if required.
• Use Journalism Portal for recording use of JSG on deployment sheet. 

FAQs/Did You Know?

No FAQs/Did you know items.

If it鈥檚 a high profile court case where there is an increased risk of violence, then a risk assessment must be undertaken and additional security considered.