Situational Awareness and Journalism: What You Need to Know. It just might save your life.

By Chris Post
Chris@JournalistSafety.com

AUTHOR'S NOTE: On Tuesday, September 10th, at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, we were reminded once again how violence too often finds its way into American political life. And, as always, journalists were there to document what happened.

More and more, domestic journalists are facing real risks just for showing up and doing their jobs. Whether you’re a student reporter, a freelancer, a staff member, or working in TV, radio, or print, the reality is the same — being prepared for the worst while hoping for the best has to become our way of working. We don’t really have another option.

When I first stepped into this field, the only “safety briefing” I ever got was a reminder not to raise the live truck mast into power lines. That was it. But times have changed, and they continue to change quickly. We can’t ignore that.

I carry with me a deep sadness that I’ve had to rely on skills I first learned as a firefighter and medic just to stay safe as a journalist. That said, I’m also profoundly grateful — those years of training and hard lessons gave me the chance to survive and to keep going. Today, I take pride in passing on some of those same skills to journalists, who too often find themselves in harm’s way without the preparation they deserve.

Situational awareness is one of the most important tools we have — something I believe every journalist should possess.

To all of you doing this work: I see you, I’m proud of you, and I’m thankful for what you do. Journalism matters, now more than ever. Please know that I’m here if you want to share your thoughts or have questions. Reach out to me by email.

Peace and love to all of you.

Journalists often work in environments that are unpredictable, fast-moving, and sometimes dangerous. In these seemingly everyday occurrences, practicing situational awareness becomes not just helpful but essential. At its core, situational awareness is the ability to notice what is happening around you, interpret the meaning of those details, and anticipate what might happen next. For a journalist in the field, that skill can be the difference between staying safe and being caught off guard. 

You don't have to be first, but you can't be last? 

You might be thinking to yourself, “Well, Chris, what does that mean?” Stick with me, friends. 

The nature of news often places us in unique settings — conflict zones, disaster sites, mass protests, or even large-scale gatherings — where circumstances can shift without warning. A routine gathering of everyday demonstrators may suddenly escalate into violence, or a building weakened by an earthquake may collapse without notice. Journalists who remain alert to subtle changes in behavior, mood or environment can recognize threats early and act quickly, whether by moving to safety or adjusting how they work. 

If you fail to recognize a critical shift in the environment you are working in, the consequences could be anywhere from terribly inconvenient to life-altering. You don't have to be the first one to recognize a shift in the mood of attendees at a large gathering, but you can't be the last when the mood escalates to a boiling point. Situational Awareness is all about proactivity. The goal is to find yourself in a safer location or condition, having recognized the shift and modified how you are working, but continuing to tell the story.

Situational awareness also extends to social and cultural contexts. Understanding local customs, reading body language and recognizing political or community dynamics are all essential when working in unfamiliar areas. These insights not only help journalists avoid unnecessary risks but also enable them to establish trust and gain access to vital information.

In the end, situational awareness supports more than safety — it preserves a journalist’s ability to keep telling the story. You don't have to be first, but you can't be last! By staying observant, thoughtful and prepared, reporters protect themselves while ensuring they can continue to do their job: bearing witness and bringing critical information to the public.

Here are some tips to help you with implementing situational awareness in every assignment and your everyday life. It doesn't matter if you are at work or at dinner with a loved one, these tips apply across your life. 

• If you want to sharpen your situational awareness, start by cutting down on distractions. Limit your phone use, leave the headphones off or use only one ear, and truly tune in to what’s happening around you. Use all your senses, and don’t brush off that gut feeling when something doesn’t seem right — it’s usually picking up on something your eyes or ears haven’t fully processed yet.

• Look around — really look. Keep your head moving, not just straight ahead, but side to side and even behind you. Think 360 degrees. Don’t forget to look up and down, too. Did you see someone drop a backpack by a trash can and walk away? Would you recognize a suspicious package if you saw one? What about a person sitting in a parked car, lights off, watching you a little too closely? Or a vehicle blocking your news car so you can’t move? These are the kinds of small details that matter. Also, make mental notes of safe exits, spots you can fall back to, or hazards that could make things worse if the situation changes.

• What seems suspicious to you might not be the same as what your teammate notices — and that’s OK. Work as a team. If one person raises a concern, don’t dismiss it. Talk it through. A team is only as strong as its members feel safe and supported.

• Have a plan. Discuss with your crew or newsroom what you’ll do if you get separated or someone gets injured. Maybe you regroup at the live truck or a nearby coffee shop. That way, if things go sideways, everyone knows where to go, how to check on each other and how to get back to telling the story if it’s safe.

• Military pilots use something called the OODA loop, and it works for us, too. OODA stands for Observe, Orient, Decide and Act. You see something that feels off — observe it. Move to a better spot to understand what’s happening — that’s orienting. With more information, you decide what to do. Then you act, whether that means backing off, moving locations or continuing the job with better awareness.

• Remember, “suspicious” depends on the situation. What stands out at a protest is different from what feels wrong at a disaster scene. That’s why using all your senses is so important. Pay attention to sights, sounds, even smells — they all give you clues.

• And always trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.

• Finally, don’t be predictable. Journalists are sometimes targeted because of the work we do. If someone is watching your patterns, make it harder for them. Switch up routes, change vehicles, vary your routines. A little unpredictability can go a long way toward keeping you safe.

(Photo: Lemon Ruan/Unsplash)