The Media Drop

Brian Stelter over at TVNewser posts Tuesday about the training that CNN sports correspondents have gone through in preparation for their time covering the Olympics in Athens, Greece. According to a report from the UK’s Independent, CNNers have gone through what is referred to as extensive ‘hostile environment’ training, which included what to do if a bomb explodes and “how to resist being taken hostage.”

A few weeks ago, reporters from the Associated Press went through a simliar course prior to their venture to Greece. Staffers informed TMD that Centurion, which bills itself as “the world’s leading risk assessment training company,” came in to do a one day workshop to teach the AP Olympic coverage team how to handle themselves when traveling overseas. Unfortunately, the one day workshop did not cover what to do if you are being kidnapped, so I’m not sure the AP will be quite as prepared as some other news organizations should anything unfortunate occur. Only the five day session covers these topics - Centurion calls it their “HEFAT,” or Hostile Environments and Emergency First Aid Training. Further checking through Centurion’s offerings brings you to the “Olympics Countdown” service, which does cover “personal awareness and security,” but not HEFAT’s “Hostage abduction and enduring captivity” session, in case you’re interested.

[ed: Before you ask, it is indeed TVNewser day here at TMD, hehe.]