Setting Up Interviews with Potentially Dangerous People

Clearly since the unthinkable happened with Daniel Pearl, a lot of thought has been directed towards the issue of meetings or private interviews.

The increasing incidences of abduction by terrorist groups, with shocking stories such as this one, shows how political and religious extremists are often relentless in the pursuit of their goals. Abductors, terrorists and criminal go to great lengths to lure their victims and could have been planning how they will do it for some time. Underestimating a person`s true intent can prove fatal.

At Centurion we advise all journalists to approach ANY arrangements for meetings with unknown parties extremely cautiously. Think in terms of the potential risks/hazards and identify courses of action to negate them.

The planning of meetings, and emergency drills, should be carefully thought through and discussed in great detail with colleagues and heads of departments

There may be several meeting options open to you, but if none of them reduces the risks to your safety, or you feel uneasy, clearly the meeting should not take place in its current form. A re-think is necessary.