The Observatory on CBRNe Security and Defence, following its mission of training and dissemination, has organized with Italian Center for Training and Improvement in Journalism for Radio and Television, the Course “Crisis Management & Personnel Security” for some Maghreb reporters.
The course has taken place in Perugia in the seat of the Formation Center founded by RAI, and involved for a week a dozen of TV and Radio reporters coming from Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria which have been trained by lecturers in themes like: “Characteristics of crisis and war theaters: Land, Sea, Air, Cyberspace” by Adm. Claudio Confessore, “Preparation to the operative theatre: luggage, professional and ID documents, validation, insurance, consent form. The International Rights of the journalist. The risk of the free-lance” by Pier Paolo Cito, journalist and photo-reporter. They have also faced “The release into the theater with military carrier. Bodyguard and protection. Information activity. Relationships between journalists and armed or law enforcement forces” with Gen. Mario Arpino and “New risk theaters, terrorism, asymmetric and unconventional threats” and “The concept of Security & Safety” with Prof. Roberto Mugavero. Eng. Massimo Calabresi addressed the issues about “Personal Information Protection” and “Personal and Sensitive Information Protection” while Dr. Stefano Scaini faced the topic “Dual use explosive materials & technologies”. In the last day, Dr. Balzerani spoke about “Intercultural Competence and Negotiation elements” while Dr. Rita di Iorio faced the problems linked with stress management. During the five days of the course, thanks to a valid interpreter, lecturers and learners have been able to compare and share knowledge, experiences and approaches on new threats and risks. Due to the heterogeneity of the speakers, it has been possible to discuss the differences of every operational theater (military or civilian) in foreign countries or in their cities. It has been also possible to analyze the necessity to verify the information collected and/or received, on the way and times when it is more appropriate to disclose and on the important role played by the reporter.
In fact, the reporter is often the key element because he is the only one capable to tell what it is happening in some contexts. For this reason, it is not necessary just the ability to collect, elaborate and disclose information, but to select the sources and to orientate in many different cultural contexts. There are many fundamental elements for first line operators like journalists, especially the ability to negotiate, the capability to manage the stress, to blend in with the environment and the assessment of every risk scenario.
The Course, due to the valuable contribution of everyone, analyzed weak points and strong points emerged in the practical experiences carried out by participants and lecturers.
