Mark Basil/CPJ Guest Blogger
Mark Basil’s security career spans nearly 20 years. He served in the U.S. Secret Service, working on anti-terrorism assignments and coordinating covert protection for world leaders. He performed security surveys and vulnerability assessments for those under Secret Service protection. He is now a certified protection professional. He teaches and trains others in security, and provides consulting in identifying security needs and developing security programs.
Surveillance detection for journalists in the field
Much has been made recently about the digital surveillance of journalists–and rightly so–but physical surveillance remains a key tactic of security forces, law enforcement, and private entities. These operatives are monitoring journalists, gathering intelligence on them, and potentially obstructing journalists’ work or putting them at risk.