Conflict reporting from an African woman’s perspective

Witnessing a seemingly peaceful gathering turn into chaos, people getting shot dead right before her eyes, sights of restless parents waiting for their abducted family members to return home, listening to agonising tales of traumatized victims tell their experiences, seeing emancipated underage children who have just been released by bandits or escaping being raped or shot on several occasions tells the story of Ms Amaka Okoye. She is a female journalist covering conflict and volatile areas in the Northern part of Nigeria where insecurity is rife.

It could also be the story of a female journalist covering conflict anywhere in the world especially in Africa where the welfare and safety of journalists is a big issue.

Female journalists face a lot of dangers on the job, especially when reporting in conflict and volatile environments. Their physical safety and mental health can be at high risk, and news outlets often don’t do enough to cater for their unique needs.

Before joining, Deutsche Welle as one of the west African correspondents, Amaka worked with Arise News, a Television broadcasting station in Nigeria where she traversed the Northern part of the country from December 2020 through 2021 actively reporting conflicts, crisis, cases of kidnapping and human angle stories of victims.

According to a 2020 report by UNESCO, journalism remains a dangerous profession: the threats faced by journalists are many and wide-ranging and television journalists constitute the largest group among the victims.

“Conflict reporting is one of the riskiest terrains. It’s true that no job is easy but there are some that are more demanding than others. Covering conflict is very demanding both mentally and physically.

“Sometimes you get into chaos where you need to run for your dear life. Sometimes it can be very traumatising depending on what you see, what you hear, the stories you cover, the people you interview, the reality that stares at you while you’re at work,” Amaka told AWiM News while narrating her experience as female conflict reporter.

However, her driving force in this dangerous road less traveled remains the fact that ‘competence is not gender-based.’

“I feel that if you’re passionate to do something and you’re called to do it, you’d find your way around it regardless of the perceived risk involved”.

“I don’t have a formula. I don’t wake up and say this is how were going to be cover Chibok when we get to Chibok. What works for me is the mindset that I’m going to do this and I’m going to deliver and tell the stories of these people who may not have access to the media except you go to them,” Amaka said.

Having experienced these challenges firsthand, Amaka at a point started sharing tips for female journalists covering conflict and volatile areas via her Twitter handle because to her, they are very crucial.

Below are some of the tips which she shared with AWiM News.

1. One of the most important things to put into consideration is your dress code. It’s always good to wear dark colours. Clothes that cannot make you outstanding or put you out in case of chaos. Dark colours makes you easily mix up with people without being identified. Also remember to dress appropriately. For instance, when I cover Northern part of Nigeria, I dress like Northerners even to the extent of wearing hijabs despite not being a Muslim. This makes it easier to penetrate the people.

2. Knowing the language. It is always good to know the language of the people you’re covering. It’s more like a plus for you so it’s easy for people to accept you and relate with you because you identify with them. If you don’t speak the language, the ideal thing is to get a fixer who knows the language and the people.  Your fixer should also be your translator to make it easier.
3. Always work with your team. This means being in agreement with your team at all times. Usually, we say if one team member is unsure about something, it’s better the whole team listens. Maybe you want to go into a particular area and a team member says he doesn’t feel we should go there, maybe you should reconsider.

4.  Have external people who checkmate and advise you. Most times while covering conflict, you may not even be aware of the things you’re into. You need someone from afar to watch and access you in case of chaos. That person will tell you when it’s too risky or not. Whether it’s not yet safe to enter a place or whether to leave a particular place when it becomes too dangerous. That will ensure your safety to an extent.

5. People covering conflict should be intentional about taking care of themselves especially mentally. There’s need for therapy, counseling sessions, there’s need for them to be able to talk about their experiences and get help mentally and psychologically based on what they see or hear especially when they cover horror. We should not live in the illusion that journalists are supposed to be strong people. Yes, you have to be strong to do the work but it’s also good you recognize that you need help and you seek for help. It doesn’t make you vulnerable.

6.Always communicate with the people who sent you. For instance, when you’re going into a place without network you need to give them situation report and endeavour to call back when you get network to reduce the anxiety.

7. Always have a bottle of water to hydrate yourself. In most cases, you may not easily find something to eat. Have water at least. But do not take so much of water so you don’t need to pee too often. Remember in most cases you may not find a decent convenience and if you are joining a troop or security convoy, no one will stop for you to pee! Safety first is the rule. Keep that in mind

8. Wear super comfortable shoes- snickers and boots are your best bets. Wear snickers with grips. You might find yourself in slippery or muddy areas.
9. Be alert at all times
10. Carry only what is necessary
11. Be fit enough to run should the occasion arise (as it will definitely)

This article is part of African Women in Media (AWiM) Graduate Trainee Programme in collaboration with FOJO Media Institute