The role is as dynamic as I expected. No day is ever the same. News UK is an inspiring place to be and my colleagues have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome.
There are the day-to-day operations, events and promotions that you would expect. On the other hand, we create online video content and provide studio facilities. We also deploy journalists to high risk and hostile environments. So the role is a familiar balance of corporate and creative.
My background in televised events and supporting deployments to hostile and high-risk environments stood me in good stead. Entertaining an audience and reporting from the frontline span opposite ends of the risk spectrum. My career incorporates a proportionate approach to both scenarios (and everything in-between).
When I worked on touring productions, health and safety considerations were part and parcel of life on the road. We used a ‘buddy’ system before climbing in the same way divers do. This meant double-checking each other’s harnesses to make sure everything was as it should be. It was good working practice. I realised these principles could be applied on a broader scale.
The biggest challenge in journalism is to tell original accurate, compelling stories that hold people’s attention. So my challenge is to help my colleagues achieve this.
Our journalists are trained in personal health, safety, crime avoidance and working in crowds. We let them know in advance what vaccinations were needed. We also arranged security briefings for travellers which provided local information on what life would be like in Rio. We keep in contact with our journalists and share relevant in-country updates with them. When they return, we’ll get their feedback on the support they received.
Petty crime is a significant risk for foreign travellers to Rio. Global and local security threats have also been taken into account and monitored during the Olympics.
Educating travellers about bite avoidance and contraception is the key. We also provided DEET insect repellent and plug in mosquito units for journalist’s accommodation.
We adopt the same approach and work to the same standards that we would for working in the UK, – planning, risk assessment and implementing control measures.
