Investigative journalists experience threats and violence against themselves, their family and colleges. Several press freedom NGO's and organizations like the Council of Europe have the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity on their agendas. But what strategies are most effective? And what should we do most urgently do to ensure that their member countries stop the persecution and violence against journalists doing their jobs?
It's not just war reporters who need to know about self-care on traumatic assignments. Investigative reporters who work intensively on such topics as migration, human trafficking, and sexual violence are also at risk of finding themselves in trauma trouble. Interviewing victims and witnesses, reviewing records of tragedy, viewing photos and video, and assembling the stories of traumatic events all can have a profound emotional impact. And then there is always some risk of becoming a direct target of harassment, detention or physical violence.
This panel will look at what it takes to remain resilient on such assignments, and offer practical advice, drawing on personal experience and the latest scientific insight into self-care and trauma.
Angolan investigative reporter and anti-corruption activist Rafael Marques de Morais is editor of the newssite MakaAngola and author of the book “Blood Diamonds; Corruption and Torture in Angola.” In his book, Marques de Morais accuses some of Angolas top generals of human rights violations and corruption, an accusation that recently led to him being convicted for “defamation.” Marques de Morais has received several awards for his work, in March he received the Freedom of Expression award from the UK-based Index on Censorship.
Sami Al-Hajj knows from personal experience more than anyone would ever want to know about human rights abuses and threats to journalists.
During his six years at Guanatanmo, the Al Jazeera Cameraman was interrogated more than 200 times. His Crime? Journalism.
The Sudanese cameraman is today the director of Al Jazeera’s Public Liberties and Human Rights Centre. He joins us to speak about how Al Jazeera cover today’s conflicts in North Africa and The Middle East.
Emin Huseynov is an Azerbaijani journalist and human rights activist. He was the chairman of the Institute for Reporters' Freedom and Safety. After he was forced into hiding at the Swiss embassy in Baku to avoid arrest for six months, Huseynov fled Azerbaijan and has now asked for political asylum in Switzerland.