Media plays an integral role in the implementation of free and fair elections—but election coverage can be highly demanding, stressful, and dangerous for media practitioners. With the upcoming election in Kenya as well as elections in Chile, Honduras, Liberia, and Slovenia, ensuring the long-term health and safety of those engaged in this high-intensity work and environment is critical.

In order to equip media practitioners and human rights defenders with the means to safely cover elections, IREX’s Securing Access to Free Expression (SAFE) Initiative addresses safety through the lens of digital identity, physical awareness, and psychosocial care by providing trainings in Central America, Eurasia, East Africa, and the Middle East & North Africa. Here are 10 tips from SAFE’s integrated safety trainings that can help local and international journalists navigate covering elections.

1. Situational awareness

Know what political, racial, religious or other conflict exists within a region. Try to avoid routine and change daily routes. Notify your colleagues or editors if you believe you may be under surveillance. Examine the location of polling stations in advance and know exits from buildings, ways to leave areas of unrest, and locations of hospitals and police stations. If you are covering a major protest march or political rally, survey the route or venue beforehand. Learn some first aid knowledge and bring basic first aid supplies as well as water and food.

2. Secure apps and social media

Use different accounts for private vs public life. Your private account should include only family and friends and have high privacy settings. Be mindful of sharing your recent locations on social media. Consider downloading these apps for improved security in the field: CameraV for hiding photos, Signal, and WhatsApp for secure communications, and Psiphon for potential internet interruptions and to safely and securely use public Wi-Fi.

3. Personal

Before leaving for a potentially stressful assignment or coverage, make sure all personal matters and plans at home are taken care of. This will help you reduce your anxiety or stress while in the field and will allow you to focus more clearly on your own physical safety and psychosocial care while reporting.

4. Press card and attire

Use local laws or your own judgment when deciding whether to keep your press card visible. If your card is not visible, keep it where it is easily accessible, such as your shirt pocket. Do not put your press card in your wallet. Wear comfortable, neutral clothing and footwear that is not associated with a political party. If you do not have access to a gas mask, bring swimming goggles and handkerchiefs to cover your face and eyes in case of tear gas.

5. Equipment and data

Age your cameras and other electronic equipment with brown repair tape to make them look older, broken, or repaired. This will help prevent thefts during civil unrest situations. Back up and clean up all data storage hardware before the elections. Identify different internet access points and bring extra batteries and storage, as well as a low-cost emergency phone with emergency numbers.

6. Stress management

Election coverage is often an intense and stressful job. Practice daily stress management and anxiety techniques, such as meditation, to assist in reducing these effects. Make sure you are sleeping and eating well. Form networks with other journalists who you can talk to and who can relate to the work you are doing.

7. Interactions

Do not be seen being too friendly with security forces. Remain neutral and avoid confrontations or arguments with both protestors and police. Try to watch conflicts from aside. Do not move physically from one side of the conflict directly to another side or cross a police line. If you find yourself in the middle of a disturbance, move away without running, as people who are running are often seen as targets.

8. Emergency communications

For smartphones, install emergency/SOS button apps and put emergency contacts on speed dial. Memorize an emergency number in case you lose your phone.

9. Debrief and relax

Following coverage of elections in the field, schedule debriefs with editors, solidarity groups, and a counselor. It is important for your mental health to be taken care of during and after assignments. Debriefs allow you to work through anything disturbing that you may have witnessed or any feelings of anxiety, stress, and anger. Do things you enjoy—keep social contacts, walk, exercise, nap, cook, etc. These are positive coping mechanisms and do no harm in the long run.

10. Solidarity

Never travel alone. Always inform your colleagues, editors, and family of your travel locations and when you expect to return. Set up a security check-in system within your media outlet or with other freelance journalists covering the election.

View the infographic:

English (PDF, 437 KB)

Spanish (PDF, 619 KB)

Arabic (PDF, 273 KB)

Russian (PDF, 361 KB)

Georgian (PDF, 550 KB)

French (PDF, 542 KB)