The Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) conducted a holistic safety training for journalists from Balochistan on June 18 and 19, focusing on physical, digital, and psychological safety. The sessions were led by media safety trainer Dur-e-Shahwar Channa. The sessions focused on equipping journalists with practical tools to navigate physical, digital, and psychological challenges in their professional environments.
Throughout the training, participants examined their working conditions and identified personal and professional vulnerabilities. Emphasis was placed on self-awareness as a foundation for safety—helping journalists recognize emotional triggers, manage stress, and understand how their values and biases can influence reporting decisions.
In risk and threat assessment sessions, journalists listed threats stemming from work, community, and family settings, and were taught how to categorize risks based on likelihood and impact. The training encouraged participants to adopt proactive strategies for minimizing exposure to harm and planning for emergencies.
Self-care was highlighted as a professional responsibility rather than a personal luxury. Participants explored various forms of care—physical, emotional, and psychosocial—and were guided to develop realistic care plans. Barriers to consistent self-care, such as guilt or lack of time, were openly discussed, along with strategies to overcome them.
Situational awareness training introduced methods to stay alert in unpredictable environments. Participants practiced decision-making models like the OODA loop and conducted building safety gap analyses to improve preparedness during field assignments.
Digital security sessions focused on password safety, digital hygiene, and recognizing manipulation through social engineering. Recommendations included adopting strong passphrases, avoiding the use of personal information in credentials, and being vigilant against phishing attempts.
By the end of the workshop, participants highlighted the need for media houses to integrate holistic safety practices into newsroom policies. Recommendations included institutional support for mental health, regular safety assessments, and access to secure digital tools. The training emphasized that journalist safety requires a balanced approach—addressing both external threats and internal well-being.
