“Everybody look what’s going down…”

At least two of my readers found themselves Monday at a former Greensboro Woolworth’s where the first sparks of a tumultuous decade of fighting for equality were kindled two generations ago. While many protests were peaceful, some turned violent.

In those days, photogs were very visible targets for the frustrated, and those frustrations were occasionally taken out on them, landing some in hospitals with injuries. Marked station vehicles were burnt and cameras ripped off of shoulders and smashed.

In the midst of potential hostility towards white crews and hostility from police who believed that coverage of rioting would either prolong it or present a poor image of the police, a couple journalism organizations laid out guidelines for coverage of the events. Among the guidelines that were generated and publicized according to this list in this ye olde broadcast journalism book:

• Riots are to be fully covered
• Militants without a substantial following are to be regarded as publicity seekers. Newsmen subjectively determine what constitutes a substantial following.
• Camera crews should stay out of neighborhoods where trouble seems to be brewing, but violence has not yet broken out.
• Wherever possible, camera crews are to remain inconspicuous.
• News personnel who go into riot zones must wear hard hats and, weather permitting, padded jackets.
• News personnel are to say and do nothing to encourage further depredation. They must not linger, waiting for something to happen.
• Don’t be a hero. Run scared. Stay close to police or national guardsmen when you can.
• Dark clothing is advisable. Avoid wearing a coat and tie.
• Travel in pairs if possible. If it is safe to drive into the area do it with two men – one driving, one taking the pictures.
• Be mobile. Keep your equipment to a minimum so that you can move fast if a mob starts after you. Strap an extra lens to your belt and stuff extra film in your pockets.
• Don’t carry firearms or Mace.
• Use telephoto lenses whenever possible so you don’t have to get too close where danger exists.
• Tape windows of your car to avoid being cut by flying glass.
• Tape down the light switch on your car door so that when you open the door, the light doesn’t go on.
• Avoid getting into a dispute with anyone. Treat everyone with respect.
• Keep in touch with the office.

And the worse thing my two readers had to experience on Monday compare to the dangers their predecessors faced seems to have been a mild case of pack journalism and some rather chilly ambient temperatures.