Australian reporter hit by bullet in Philippine city siege

An Australian reporter was hit in the neck by a bullet on June 15, 2017, while covering fighting between Philippine security forces militants in the city of Marawi on the southern island of Mindanao, according to news reports and the journalist’s posts to Twitter.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation journalist Adam Harvey was shot in the neck inside the city’s provincial capitol building, where government officials have made statements on the military’s progress against militants who have laid siege to the city over the past three weeks, the reports said.

Harvey was struck while taking pictures of evacuees in the building, which has been designated as a safe zone, according to the reports. News reports featuring X-Ray photos of his injury showed the bullet lodged in his neck below his ear, and said it would require surgery to be removed.

A video clip embedded in various news reports showed Harvey walking freely at the building wearing a neck brace and helmet while saying he was “fine” and that his injury was “just a nick.” He received initial medical treatment at the nearby Amai Pakpak Medical Center.

CPJ’s Journalist Security Guide, which includes a chapter on best practices for reporting safely in armed conflict zones, is accessible here. CPJ’s Emergency Response Team, which provides comprehensive safety and security support and rapid response assistance to journalists at risk, may be contacted here.