📢 Media Awareness for Volunteers

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Why It Matters

Livestreams and press coverage can expose volunteers, undocumented neighbors, or other vulnerable people.
Mishandled interactions can compromise operational security, spread disinformation, or make pods targets.
Every volunteer needs basic skills to handle media calmly and safely.

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What You'll Learn

1. Spotting Risky Situations – Identifying livestreamers, press, and hostile recorders.
2. Protecting Identities – Using masks, angles, and calm redirection to reduce exposure.
3. De-escalation Scripts – How to redirect or engage without creating conflict.
4. Working With Legitimate Press – Verification, designated spokespeople, and safe messaging.
5. Digital Security – Protecting content, avoiding metadata leaks, and secure sharing.
6. Media Threat Assessment – Recognizing doxxers, impersonators, and law enforcement posing as press.

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De-escalation Scripts

Redirecting cameras:
"We’d appreciate you avoiding faces — people’s safety is at risk here."

For aggressive press:
"I’m not the spokesperson, but I can connect you with someone who can talk."

Protecting vulnerable folks:
"Let’s move you somewhere less exposed so you’re not on camera."

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Working With Press Safely

• Verify credentials before sharing any info (ask for press ID and cross-check if possible).
• Designate spokespeople — only approved members give statements.
• Understand on-record vs. off-record:
  • Assume anything you say can be published unless explicitly agreed otherwise.
• Share only big-picture context (never times, locations, or pod details).

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Digital Security for Media

• Avoid geotags and metadata when posting (disable location services).
• Use blurring tools before sharing footage publicly (ObscuraCam, Signal blur).
• Transfer footage to legal teams using encrypted channels only (Signal, OnionShare).

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Media Threat Assessment

Watch for:

• Law enforcement posing as press (no ID, evasive, asking for names or plans).
• Doxxing-oriented streamers focusing on faces or asking leading questions.
• Suspicious questioning (who’s in charge, where are you staging, where’s the next protest).

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Escalation Path

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Quick Action Steps

1. Assume all cameras are live — never share sensitive info in public.
2. Politely redirect cameras away from vulnerable individuals.
3. If a livestream captures sensitive activity, alert your dispatcher or media observer immediately.
4. Use pre-approved pod statements if approached by press.

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Risks & Things to Watch

• Arguing with press can amplify exposure. Stay calm and redirect.
• Never give personal or operational details, even to “friendly” recorders.
• Only safety marshals or trained leads should physically block cameras.

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Checklist

• Can identify livestreamers, journalists, and potential threats.
• Knows 3 de-escalation phrases for redirecting press.
• Can spot 3 signs of impersonators or hostile media.
• Has practiced blurring faces and stripping metadata.
• Understands posting and sharing protocols (encrypted and consent-based).

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Scenario Drill

"You’re distributing supplies when someone starts filming faces up close:

1. Approach calmly and request they avoid faces.
2. Guide vulnerable people out of the shot.
3. Notify safety marshal to monitor the situation.
4. Document the interaction for your pod’s report."

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Red Lines

• Never confirm who participated in an action.
• Never share meeting locations or times, even after events.
• If sensitive info is accidentally recorded:
  1. Notify security lead immediately.
  2. Document what was captured.
  3. Follow your pod’s mitigation plan (contact legal or PR teams).

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Resource Appendix

• Press Verification Checklist (how to spot legitimate media)
• Blurring & Metadata Guides (Signal, ObscuraCam)
• Sample Pod Statements (ready-to-use public responses)
• Role-Playing Cards for media interaction drills