PressMark: A Guide for Deciding When to Visibly Identify as a Journalist

In hostile or unpredictable environments, few decisions are tougher than choosing whether to be visibly identified as press. To help journalists weigh when visibility protects — and when it puts them at risk — Reporters Without Borders (RSF) shares this field-ready tool, developed by its partner ACCOS.

Journalists have historically marked themselves as “PRESS” to distinguish their role, assert neutrality and enhance their safety, particularly in conflict zones and protests. This is considered best practice by the industry. However, while it once provided consistent protection, it has increasingly become a liability with visibly marked press often facing targeted harassment or violence. 

Whether to visually identify as a journalist involves considering multiple factors (i.e. your needs and context, your identity and profile –high profile journalists may be targeted regardless) and it requires a brief risk assessment. This guide helps you weigh the risks and benefits to make an informed, situation-specific decision.

Use the following questions to help assess your situation and make an informed choice in a given context. If you are looking for a more structured approach, we also provide a YES / NO questionnaire below that can assist in your decision.

Pros and Cons of Visibly Marking as Press

Questions to ask yourself – 5 steps

Step 1: Understand Your Reporting Environment and Legal Context

• What kind of event are you covering? For example:
  • Armed conflict (war, insurgency, military operations)
  • Protest or civil unrest
  • Political demonstration or rally
  • Public gathering/event
  • Natural disaster or humanitarian crisis
  • Investigative reporting in sensitive environments
• Who are the primary threat actors in your environment, and how do they typically treat journalists?
• What relevant legal protections do you need to consider?
  • Are there specific international legal protections for journalists applicable to the situation you are covering? Are these being respected?
  • What national laws or local guidelines exist that explicitly protect journalists in this context?
• How your identity and profile could impact how you are perceived by different actors?
  • Could your appearance, language, or cultural markers impact your safety or neutrality in this context?
  • Are there aspects of your profile that could attract hostility?
  • How much do you need to and can blend in?

• Analyze the local context for journalists

• • Have journalists recently been deliberately targeted or protected in similar scenarios? How visibly marked were they?
  • If you’re not a local journalist, what do local journalists in that area do? Do they commonly mark themselves visibly as press or are they discreet about their profession?

Step 2: Weigh Risks vs. Benefits

• Would clear press identification benefit you in some way or reduce harm?

• • • Could provide a layer of protection from accidental harm? 
    • Could improve interactions or access with security forces or authorities?

• Or could visibly marking yourself lead to harm?

• • Would it increase risk of deliberate targeting, harassment, or unwanted attention?
  • Could provoke suspicion or hostility from certain groups?

Step 3: Consider Contextualized Ethical & Professional Obligations

• Are you required by newsroom guidelines, national professional standards, or national laws to visibly identify yourself as press?
• Have there been any communiques or information provided by local authorities outlining requirements for the particular event/context you will be covering?
• Would your credibility, transparency, or ethical responsibilities be compromised by not visibly marking yourself?

Step 4: Plan for Contingencies

• If marked visibly, can you quickly conceal or remove press identifiers?

• • TIP: If you choose to mark visibly, ensure you can quickly remove or conceal press identifiers if circumstances suddenly change.
• Have you prepared evacuation plans and emergency contacts?

Step 5: Consult Peer Knowledge

• Have you spoken with colleagues, peers, or other experienced local journalists familiar with your specific reporting context about their practices?

How to decide?

You can use the questionnaire below as a structured guide to systematically apply key considerations outlined in the guiding steps above.

Start at the top, carefully answering each question relevant to your reporting context. Your responses will help you gauge the advisability of visually marking yourself as press. However, it’s essential to remember that the final decision remains yours alone. Every reporting situation is unique, and your personal judgment, experience, and comfort level are central to determining the safest and most effective approach for you.

1. Reporting Context & Legal Protections

• What type of event are you covering? 
  • Conflict, protest, political event, disaster, sensitive assignment
• Does international law explicitly protect journalists in this scenario?
  • ✅ YES → Supports visibly marking as PRESS
  • ❌ NO → Caution advised; fewer protections
• Does national/local law specifically protect journalists at this event?
  • ✅ YES → Supports visibly marking as PRESS
  • ❌ NO → Caution advised; fewer protections
• Are local law enforcement agencies hostile toward the media and deliberately target the press?
  • ❌ YES → Strongly reconsider marking visibly
  • ✅ NO → Supports visibly marking
• Have journalists recently been targeted or harmed despite marking themselves as press in similar contexts here?
  • ❌ YES → Strongly reconsider marking visibly
  • ✅ NO → Supports visibly marking
• Do local journalists commonly mark themselves as press in this context?
  • ✅ YES → Supports visibly marking as PRESS
  • ❌ NO → Consider reasons for their discretion; caution advised

2. Risks, Benefits, and Visibility

• Would marking yourself as PRESS significantly reduce risk of accidental harm and clearly distinguish you from participants?
  • ✅ YES → Supports visibly marking as PRESS
  • ❌ NO → Consider NOT marking visibly
• Could marking yourself as PRESS enhance your access, legitimacy, or cooperation from authorities or other groups?
  • ✅ YES → Supports visibly marking as PRESS
  • ❌ NO → Consider NOT marking visibly
• Could marking yourself visibly as PRESS significantly increase risk of deliberate targeting, harassment, or hostility?
  • ❌ YES → Consider NOT marking visibly
  • ✅ NO → Supports visibly marking as PRESS

3. Ethical and Professional Obligations

• Does your newsroom or professional standards require visibly marking yourself as press?
  • ✅ YES → Visibly mark as PRESS, but strengthen contingency planning
  • ❌ NO → You have flexibility
• Would your credibility or ethical transparency be compromised if you chose not to identify openly as press?
  • ✅ YES → Support marking as PRESS, but strengthen contingency planning and weigh against risks
  • ❌ NO → You have flexibility

4. Contingency Planning

• Can you quickly remove or conceal your press identifiers if your situation becomes unsafe?
  • ✅ YES → Support visibly marking
  • ❌ NO → Address this before marking visibly, or strongly consider NOT marking
• Do you have clear evacuation plans, emergency contacts, and secure communications ready?
  • ✅ YES → Proceed positively
  • ❌ NO → Address urgently before deciding to mark visibly

5. Consult Local Experts and Peers

• Have you consulted local journalists, fixers, or safety advisors familiar with your reporting environment?
  • ✅ YES → Make final decision informed by their advice and your prior assessments
  • ❌ NO → Pause and consult before final decision

Link to the pdf document here