SAFETY CONCERNS AMONG JOURNALISTS

By Sabrina Kumar

For years journalists have risked their lives in order to report the news. They face many stressful situations from extreme weather conditions and traffic to harassment by angry mobs and covering stories late at night in dangerous areas.

Journalists have reported being attacked simply because of the stories they write. Reporters often don’t have a say over what stories they cover. It’s their job to do the stories they’re assigned.

“We are just doing our jobs,” says Deja Wright, a student broadcaster for Fresno State Focus. “We sometimes risk our lives to get the stories.”

Some journalists say they are so worried about getting the story and making their deadline that they forget about safety concerns when they go out on assignment.

“The journalist’s safety comes first before the story,” says Jim Boren, former Fresno Bee executive editor and Fresno State journalism lecturer.

Journalists rarely find themselves in dangerous situations, but unwanted occurrences to happen, says TV news anchor Kim Stephens, who has more than 30 years experience as a broadcast journalist.

“It is important to get the story, but safety comes first. And then find an alternate way of finishing, while still being a team player,” Stephens says. Overall, knowing one’s surroundings and being able to discern when to take themselves out of a dangerous situation is vital.

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