Journalists covering Mexico get survival training

Journalists in Mexico can have a pretty hard time doing their jobs, especially those who cover Mexico's narco-trafficking and organized-crime problems. 

A couple of nonprofit groups that work on press freedom and protection here in Mexico, the Rory Peck Trust and Article 19, got together and ran a course just outside Mexico City this month for 18 journalists living and working here.

During the five-day course, the participants, who came from all over Mexico -- from Michoacan to Baja California -- went through a simulated kidnapping dodged tear gas, learned first aid, and received psychological training on dealing with emergencies.

See the video for more.

-- Deborah Bonello in Toluca, Mexico

Video: Mexican journalists put through their survival paces, by Deborah Bonello.

Comments

[Nayely]

When I first read this I tried imagining this ‘training’ and I couldn’t help but picture a group of journalists being unaware of what is happening. I then came to the conclusion, that when covering the narco-trafficking stories those journalists are in a lot of danger. When dealing with criminals, it is impossible to expect any sort of mercy and these journalists do put their lives in jeopardy for what they do. I hope that for the 18 journalists the training helped, and that they never have to use what they learn. Once again, it amazes me how people are really passionate in what they do and work hard no matter what danger they might face.
-nayely