Threats to Journalists’ Safety in Reporting Protests

Abstract

This article presents parts of the findings from the research titled “Reporting Protests: The Roles of Thai Press in Political Assembly and Political Violence,” and had two objectives: 1) to examine threats to journalists’ safety during reporting protests, and 2) to analyze factors influencing journalists’ safety in protest reporting. A qualitative methodology was employed, combining documentary research and in-depth interviews, with the concept of journalists’ safety serving as the analytical framework. The findings indicated three patterns of threats to journalists' safety when reporting on protests: 1) the utilization of laws to regulate protests and the media, 2) operations carried out by state officials to control and disperse protests, and 3) actions taken by demonstrators, counter-protesters, and unidentified entities. These activities posed threats to journalists’ safety, both at the personal and infrastructural levels. Factors influencing journalists' safety in reporting protests could be categorized at personal, media and professional organizations, and socio-political levels. To mitigate threats to journalists' safety during reporting protests, it is essential to curtail the use of violence during protests, with state authorities playing a pivotal role in safeguarding the rights and freedom of both protestors and journalists in order to ensure the safety of all parties involved.