Politics and motives aside, I think everyone can conclude we live in very dangerous times for journalists, advocates of free speech or anyone else who voices an opinion. Personal security for journalists, activists or bloggers can present some unique challenges as the threats can include harassment and arrest by local or state police, as well as threats from exposed criminals or opposing political parties etc.
Personal safety and security are taken for granted by many, especially in Europe and the US, but these days there are extremists on all political sides, from all religious backgrounds and walks of life, many of whom are over-medicated and seeking attention. So, if you’re voicing your opinions on any form of media, especially if you know your opinions may upset or offend others you need to think about your personal security as well as that of your family and colleagues.
When you’re considering your personal security, you need to think of all the threats that could affect you, and make realistic plans to avoid, or if necessary, deal with them. Now, most security consultants in Europe and the US do not consider the threat from the Police or Government Agencies, but currently, all it takes is an accusation made by one of your critics and you can find the police knocking on your door. This is where you need to know your rights and have a good attorney’s phone number handy. I am not going to touch on document or computer security as the laws vary greatly from area to area, just ensure you know the laws and always cover your ass.
In many places around the world, the police will actively target journalists, as it happened to a friend of mine from Somalia, Ahmed Caano-Geel. Luckily, he got away with just a few cuts and bruises. Recently I heard of the murder of a lady who was speaking out regarding the lack of Government support for police officers in Mexico. She had just lost her husband, a police officer killed in the line of duty, and she was making too much noise and speaking the truth. I doubt her murder will ever be solved or even if it will be seriously investigated.
If you believe your home or office could be raided by the police, then you need to take precautions and again know your legal rights. Also, know how to get hold of a decent attorney and how to quickly alert others that you have a problem and might be arrested etc.
You should look at the overall security for your home and office, even if you don’t have an active threat. At least, consider a CCTV system externally and internally, preferably with the fotage uploaded to the cloud with trusted 3rd party access. There are many cases of kidnappings and assassinations where criminals will disguise themselves as police. This is a very complicated situation, and you need to know your rights and what to do in such situation to verify police IDs.
In my opinion, the basis of all personal security is counter surveillance and being aware of your surroundings. Before the criminals will attempt an assassination or kidnapping, they will put you under some form of surveillance be it physical or electronic. The favored places for targeted attacks are at the victims’ homes, workplaces or vehicles, so be extra vigilant approaching or leaving these locations. If you take regular routes to work, and use the same coffee shops, etc. then ensure you are carrying out at least some basic counter surveillance drills.
Below I have listed some examples of assassinations of journalists and will highlight similarities in the incidents. I will also detail some precautions that the victims could have taken to stay alive.
17 January 2017, Honduras: Igor Padilla a presenter with Canal HCH was shot in the city of San Pedro Sula where he was filming. Apparently, he received a phone call and stepped out in the street to take it where he was ambushed by four men in police uniforms. He died of multiple gunshot wounds on the way to the hospital.
In such situations counter surveillance and being aware of what’s happening on the street is your best defense. Employing trained protective surveillance personnel is also an option but finding trained and trusted security personnel is always a big problem.
March 02, 2017, Mexico: Cecilio Pineda Birto a freelance journalist for several newspapers and a social media crime reporter, was shot dead in Guerrero state. He was in a hammock waiting for his car to be washed when two men on a motorcycle pulled up and shot him multiple times.
Here we have the car as the victim’s location. If you know the details of someone’s car, and locate it, they should be close by. He was obviously relaxed, too relaxed…
April 23, 2017, Maldives: Yameen Rasheed, a prominent blogger was stabbed to death in the stairwell of his apartment building. The police later blamed religious extremists for the attack. He had received multiple threats to his life and had claimed to be frustrated by the lack of police action or concern.
He knew he was under threat; he should have at least taken precautions when entering and leaving his home and office. In many places, weapons for self-defense are prohibited, hence it is essential to have in place a basic plan and reaction for a possible attack.
24 May 2017, Russia: Dimitri Popkov, the editor of a local newspaper in the Krasnodarski province was shot five times while enjoying his backyard sauna. He had stated before his assassination that his newspaper’s investigations had become “an obstacle for local officials who are now threatening and intimidating journalists.”
He knew he was upsetting people but obviously thought his high-profile would protect him; well, it didn’t. As I said earlier, homes are favored locations for attacks, and I take it he was very relaxed in his sauna. Some CCTV, with some basic home security and of course counter surveillance protocols, may have helped him live a little longer…
16 October 2017, Malta: Daphne Caruana Galizia, a female independent investigative journalist was killed by an explosive device planted on her car. Two weeks before the incident she had reported to the police she had been threatened.
She knew she was under threat but took no serious precautions. You should always report threats to the police, but most police departments will not take the threats seriously without solid evidence. You must keep records of threats, if possible, get video or photos of those you suspect of watching or following you, as all this helps to support your case. She was targeted by professionals and completely vulnerable with not having any professional training or security. For more information on bomb defense check my other book “Counter Terrorism”.
29 April 2017, Turkey: Saaed Karimian, the founder of the Persian-language GEM TV channel, and his business partner were shot dead in Istanbul by masked gunmen who opened fire on their vehicle. The assassination vehicle was later found burnt out, with the weapons used for the assassination inside.
For the ambush to be successful they must have been watched, followed or had a fixed routine. This was a professional hit, so once the ambush was in motion, they were dead men… Counter surveillance and awareness are the essentials that could have saved their lives.
17 January 2018, Brazil: Jefferson Pureza Lopes, was shot and killed in his home by two gunmen that forced their way in. He had been receiving threats and was an outspoken critic of local government officials.
He knew he was under threat and should have upped the security for his home. He should have also devised a procedure for how to greet visitors, and also what to do in the event of an attempted break-in or attack.
March 21, 2018, Mexico: Leobardo Vázquez Atzin, a local reporter in the Veracruz state was shot and killed at a restaurant he owned. He had anonymously started a Facebook page titled “Enlace Informativo Regional” and had been critical of local officials; he had been receiving threats as well as offers of bribes to stop writing about the officials, but he kept writing.
The killers knew where he worked, so he was an easy target. He knew he was under threat so he should have taken precautions. If you are going to be critical of potentially dangerous people anonymously, then ensure you truly are 100% anonymous…
15 May 2018, Mexico: Juan Carlos Huerta, a TV host and Director of a radio station was shot and killed as he left his home in Villahermosa, the capital of Tabasco state.
This was a targeted assassination; I suspect the gunmen were waiting for him to leave home. Again, the home was the location of the attack. Maybe some CCTV covering the street and possible surveillance locations, could have identified people who looked out of place or hanging around for no reason before he left the house.
25 February 2018, Slovak Republic: Jan Kuciak, an investigative reporter and his girlfriend were found shot dead in their home. Kuciak had been working on stories that were referencing fraud by government officials and prominent local businessmen.
Again, the home was the location of the attack… Basic plans and procedures should have been in place for such things as answering the door to strangers and alerting others that there was a potential problem.
From this small assortment of incidents, you can see some of the basic mistakes these people made. These are just a few of the attacks on journalists in 2017 and 2018!
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