CPJ Safety Advisory: Covering mass protests in Colombia

Anti-government demonstrators protest in Bogota, Colombia, on May 5, 2021. (AP/Ivan Valencia)

Violent and deadly protests have flared in urban centers across Colombia since April 28, 2021, including Bogotá, the capital, as well as Cali, Medellín, Pereira, Bucaramanga, Ibagué, Zipaquirá, and Buenaventura, according to news reports. Initially sparked by President Iván Duque’s proposed tax reforms–which were later dropped–protests have since morphed into a wider movement against poverty, inequality, and perceived corruption, in turn fueled by anger over police brutality and frustration over officials’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to The Guardian.

The United Nations has accused the security forces of using excessive force against civilians, resulting in dozens of deaths along with hundreds of injuries and arrests, according to Human Rights Watch. Tensions remain high, particularly in the city of Cali, where Duque has vowed to send more troops after clashes between protesters and armed civilians, as reported by Deutsche Welle.

Between April 28 and May 7, the Bogotá-based Foundation for Press Freedom (FLIP) documented at least 115 incidents involving journalists covering the protests, including robberies, harassment, and injuries; nearly half of the violations were allegedly committed by the National Police and its Mobile Anti-Riot Squad, or ESMAD.

Physical safety considerations

Media workers should anticipate and be prepared for significant levels of violence on the ground, which could come from the security forces (such as ESMAD), armed civilian groups/vigilantes, and/or protesters. Dangers may include (but are not limited to) the use of the following:

Pre-assignment planning

Clothing, equipment, & transportation

Situational awareness

With the authorities

With protesters & armed civilian groups

Positioning

Dealing with tear gas

The use of tear gas can result in sneezing, coughing, spitting, crying, and the production of mucus that obstructs breathing. In some cases, individuals may vomit, and breathing may become labored. Such symptoms could potentially increase media workers’ level of exposure to coronavirus infection via airborne virus droplets. Individuals who suffer from respiratory issues like asthma, who are listed in the COVID-19 vulnerable category, should therefore avoid covering crowd events and protests if tear gas is likely to be deployed.

In addition, evidence suggests that tear gas can actually increase an individual’s susceptibility to pathogens such as novel coronavirus, as highlighted by NPR.

For guidance about dealing with exposure to and the effects of tear gas, please refer to CPJ’s civil disorder advisory.

COVID-19 safety

Maintaining physical distancing at any protest location is challenging, and members of the public may not wear face coverings/face masks at all. Such confinement could potentially expose them to virus droplets, as well as verbal or physical attack from hostile members of the public–who could deliberately cough or sneeze over them.

Be aware that people shouting or chanting can result in the spread of virus droplets, therefore increasing media workers’ level of exposure to coronavirus infection.

Digital safety planning & considerations

Preparing devices to cover protests

Taking steps to secure your devices and your data before covering a protest can reduce the possibility of others accessing information about you and your sources.

Protecting your accounts

If you are detained you may be asked to hand over passwords to your online accounts. While you may not be able to prevent people from accessing your accounts, you can take preventive steps to limit the data available to them.

Limit people’s access to content in your accounts:

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