Every four days, a journalist is killed due to their reporting, and 85% of these deaths go unpunished, according to UNESCO. Of the journalists killed since 1992, 35% covered crime and corruption, highlighting the urgent need for more guidance on how to safely report on these topics.
To help journalists protect themselves, I spoke with Frank Smyth, founder and CEO of Global Journalist Security, and Beauregard Tromp, an investigative reporter and convener of the African Investigative Journalism Conference, who offered advice on how to safely interview potentially dangerous actors.
Here’s what they shared:
(1) Perform a risk assessment
Conducting a risk assessment before an interview and regularly reassessing it throughout the reporting process enables you to identify threats and implement effective mitigation strategies.
The risk of reporting on organized crime and corruption varies by region. “In Eastern Europe, you can approach criminals but must avoid insulting them or writing about their families. In Latin America, reporting on crime can lead to serious harm or death, even if you are respectful,” said Smyth. As part of your risk assessment, he recommended identifying and ranking potential sources based on the level of risk they pose. “Start by interviewing those you trust most, such as human rights activists, and end with those you trust [the] least, like corrupt politicians.”
The Committee to Protect Journalists has a free template for risk assessments.
(2) Initiate contact only if it is safe
Some individuals may be too dangerous to approach, said Smyth. “In some cases, it is advisable to approach their lawyer or another representative who has authority over them. The representative should understand that the story is already planned and that if they choose not to comment it will be indicated.”
If you determine that it’s safe to contact the source, do so with the assistance of an experienced colleague and avoid using your personal email, phone number and social media account, advised Tromp. “Instead, use communication channels provided by your employer [and] limit the visibility of your personal social media posts to close contacts.”
Read about your interviewees’ criminal history, affiliations, behavioral patterns and past interactions with media professionals to gain insights on how to approach them safely.
Journalists should also familiarize themselves with their sources’ cultural norms. “For example, tight-fitting clothing may be considered inappropriate in cultures where women wear hijabs,” said Smyth.
(3) Choose a safe, neutral meeting location
On January 23, 2002, Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and killed in Pakistan after being lured into a car he thought would take him to interview a reclusive Islamic leader. This tragedy is a reminder of why putting precautions in place to ensure your safety when meeting sources is paramount.
“When interviewing hostile subjects, bring at least two people: one journalist and a driver. You may introduce a colleague, such as a cameraman, to your interviewee but avoid mentioning anyone watching over you,” said Smyth. “If meeting in person is too risky, consider conducting the interview via phone/video call, email or other written correspondence.”
Journalists should meet sources in public places such as coffee shops, parks or clubs, and identify three exit points. They should have a clear view of the entrance and avoid having people sit behind them, advised Tromp.
He also encouraged reporters to use public transportation when heading to interviews and to avoid going straight home after. “Instead, spend time in secure public places like malls. Using staircases rather than elevators can help you better assess whether you are being followed. If you suspect surveillance, exit quickly via the staircase’s exit point.”
(4) Make security arrangements
While you may be tempted to take risks for a great scoop, always prioritize safety.
“You can get a tracker and hide it in a hard-to-find spot, such as inside the metal button of your jeans. You could also place it in your car; however, if you are abducted, the tracker will be left behind,” said Smyth. “Another option is to have a colleague or security personnel monitor you, though your kidnappers could thwart their efforts to follow you.”
Rather than going to a potentially corrupt police station to ask for protection, journalists should speak with an officer they already trust. Regular phone check-ins with a reliable contact enhance safety; if a reporter misses a check-in, a search can be initiated. Hostile environment and first aid training can help journalists prepare for potential threats, such as abductions or firearm attacks.
To ensure that your conversations are protected and not accessed by third-parties, Smyth recommended using encrypted apps. “Signal and WhatsApp offer end-to-end encryption but if your device is already compromised by spyware like Pegasus, third parties could still access your conversations. For protecting email conversations, both parties can use Proton Mail, which allows users to register without disclosing their email address, phone number or real name. For greater privacy, use a reputable Virtual Private Network.”
(5) Craft questions carefully and practice delivery
In many jurisdictions, anyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty. This should guide how you approach your interview.
“Avoid being confrontational,” Tromp advised. “Instead of asking, ‘Did you kill those people?’ you could say, ‘There are allegations of your involvement in the murders — how do you respond to that?’ Do not dive straight into questions about the crime. Start with softer, easier questions, then gradually move to the core issues.”
If you’re interviewing a rebel leader, a lighter question to start with could be, 'Can you tell me about your background and what motivated you to join the movement?'
If your questions upset your source and they begin to make you feel threatened, apologize, end the interview and give them a sense of control by allowing them to make final comments, said Smyth.
(6) Be professional and transparent
It can be difficult for an interviewee to trust you if you are anonymous or untruthful.
“Provide your real name, the organization you work for and a general idea of what the story is about,” said Tromp. “If, before the interview, they ask for the questions, avoid sending the exact ones. Instead, share an overview of the themes you intend to explore.”
In some cases, going undercover may be necessary if it is the only way to get the story and it is in the public’s interest to know, Smyth explained. “Undercover reporting can be dangerous and should not be taken lightly. In June 2002, Brazilian investigative journalist Tim Lopes was brutally murdered by drug traffickers upon discovery that he was recording undercover.”
Additionally, remember that pseudonyms do not guarantee anonymity, Smyth warned. “On September 24, 2011, the body of journalist Maria Elizabeth Macías, who wrote under the pseudonym, La Niña de Nuevo Laredo, was found decapitated [with a] note [that] named the website she contributed to and her pseudonym. It is unclear how the killers discovered her identity.”
(7) Be ethical in your reporting
Throughout the interview, your subject may speak positively about themselves, and you may hold biases for or against them that could influence how you report the story.
Journalists should present facts without prejudice, Tromp advised. “Report the interviewee’s statements alongside insights from credible sources such as law enforcement.”
Photo by Donald Tong via Pexels.
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