Thread: Tips for covering protests/ demonstrations?

I write for my local college paper, and I've been informed of a demonstration taking place within a reasonable drive. Since our paper is new and we have few readers, I have relative freedom on the topic of my articles. I was wondering if any fellow posters had any tips or cautionary tales to help me out: I'm pretty new to letting other people read my work, let alone journalism. Fortune favors the bold, right?

Non-professional papers suffer from stating an individual's opinion as newspaper fact. First rule, make sure you clearly identify that it's person X's opinion.

X said
X suggested
X claimed
X believes
X stated
X this, X that.

You're reporting, not advocating; make sure that's clear to readers.

With a large net so that they cannot run away and avoid responsibility for their actions...

Take a friend who also has a camera so you can get multiple angles for shots (helps add interest). It's ok to take shots of people as they are protesting--they expect it--but if you single out a specific person try to make sure that person doesn't have a problem with you photographing/viddying/recording him or her. (And that's why it's good to take a buddy, so you can have some evidence in case things take an ugly turn. A lady I know was photographing some protesters and one of them got upset with her and knocked her down, knocking her camera out of her hand--she had a companion with her who also was viddying, so they got the whole thing on vid and the guy was arrested for assault.)

Be polite to whoever you are interviewing, be it a protester, a cop, or a bystander. Dress in casual, neutral clothing. Record audio in format that you can easily transcribe later, and make sure you state clearly at the beginning of each audio clip you make your name, the date and time, and the handle of the person you're interviewing. (Asking for proper names sometimes makes people nervous. If guy says, "My name is Wombat" then identify him as such without prying for details.)

I've found that asking people WHY they are protesting something--without being snide or rude--makes for some fascinating answers. Whether you sympathize with their cause or not, you can learn a lot by these answers.

Of course it helps to know something about whatever it is that is being protested. Do a bit of research beforehand if possible.

And wear your running shoes.

Wait, who is to be netted? I haven't the foggiest if this will turn out to be a powerful demonstration or just a group of disaffected youths catcalling from behind police lines at some older white males in suits and ties.

I appreciate the answers. Those all are good points, Scarlett_156. I want to try to get both sides of the event, but I highly doubt I'll get any kind of notice from the banker types, so I'll probably have to just interview some of the protesters and maybe some non-affiliated bystanders.

Bring some healthy snacks and bottled water, a pack of cards, a small first aid kid, some beads or other trinkets to trade with the natives, a harmonica -- in case you have to go to jail. And don't forget to apply plenty of sunscreen!

PS -- buy a fedora, and put a big card in the hatband that says, "Press."

Originally Posted by JosephB

Bring some healthy snacks and bottled water, a pack of cards, a small first aid kid, some beads or other trinkets to trade with the natives, a harmonica -- in case you have to go to jail. And don't forget to apply plenty of sunscreen!

PS -- buy a fedora, and put a big card in the hatband that says, "Press."

I actually had most of that packed, haha! Including the fedora (wicker fedora with a pinstripe band) and I laughed out loud at work at the beads (darn drug-addled festivillains!!)

Originally Posted by nickhasnobeard

I laughed out loud at work at the beads (darn drug-addled festivillains!!)

On that note, to win friends, bring some daisies and pass them out -- the protesters can insert them in rifle barrels when the National Guard shows up.

I also found out that keeping a bandanna in a zipping bag filled with enough vinegar to soak the mask is a good counter for tear gas. Can't be too prepared, after all.

If the tear gas comes out, I suggest leaving as soon as possible. Also I can't stress enough that you should not look too protester-y. Not worth the possible consequences.

If you get a good whiff of tear gas, forget it. Your eyes will be watering so bad, you'll have a hard time seeing the mucus pouring from your nose and mouth. You'll cough worse than if you had just inhaled smoke from a cheap cigar. If you're real lucky, some people have a reaction and vomit as well. Perhaps a waterproof cover for your i Pad?

Anyway, have fun!

Originally Posted by Winston

If you get a good whiff of tear gas, forget it..." "...Perhaps a waterproof cover for your i Pad?

Anyway, have fun!

I don't own any apple products, actually.

Being a former Marine I am well aware of anti-riot gas and it's effect. Like I previously said: I like to be prepared.

Originally Posted by Scarlett_156

If the tear gas comes out, I suggest leaving as soon as possible. Also I can't stress enough that you should not look too protester-y. Not worth the possible consequences.

I hope I would be able to leave, but I can't predict that with enough certainty to go in unprepared or unaware. No, I plan on dressing as I usually do, which is rather innocuous, really.

Does the vinegar work?
It would cover the smell, but in reality the smell wasn't bad, its the chemicals that cause the reactions.

oh, big warning, Asthma suffers should get away from riot gas immediately, it will trigger an attack, possibly severe.