KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—The 19th Asia Media Summit, held at BAC Spaces on Sept. 3, 2024, dedicated a special session to the safety of journalists working in hostile environments. Captain Bala Subramaniam, a well-known Malaysian safety expert and activist, led the session with an in-depth presentation that addressed the growing risks faced by media professionals in volatile regions.

Captain Bala’s presentation highlighted the importance of situational awareness and preparedness for journalists working in dangerous conditions. He emphasized that journalists must remain vigilant about their surroundings to avoid becoming targets of crime, stressing the need for personal security strategies. Bala provided practical advice on safe travel habits, discreet behavior, and the use of tamper-evident seals for luggage.

“Being aware of your environment and minimizing exposure can make a crucial difference.” , said Bala. He offered advice on how to secure lodging for any type of special field assignment that takes place outside of cities, like how to look for surveillance equipment and hidden cameras in hotel rooms. Bala went on to describe how criminals frequently use observable behaviors to profile potential victims. He advised journalists to deviate from predictable patterns when visiting or working in high-risk areas.

Bala outlined survival techniques for emergencies, including the effective use of self-defense tools like pepper spray. He also gave guidance on how to respond during critical situations such as kidnappings or carjackings, advising that staying calm and composed could improve chances of survival. “In hostile situations, it’s often not the biggest or strongest who survive, but those who think clearly under pressure,” he added.

Following Bala’s presentation, Ms. Philomena Gnanapragasam, CEO of AIBD, announced AIBD’s plans to offer training programs for media professionals across the region. These programs will include safety drills and crisis communication workshops tailored to journalists working in hostile environments. The initiative will enable journalists to enhance their safety skills and improve their readiness for crises.

“Journalists play a vital role in reporting from dangerous situations. Our goal is to equip them with the tools to stay safe while doing their important work,” Ms. Gnanapragasam said.

The training activities will be available to AIBD members, who can organize the workshops in their respective countries to better prepare their journalists for the challenges they face.