04/06/2011
NEWS STORY
The rescheduling of the Bahrain Grand Prix has left Formula One's sports journalists more than a little worried that they may be targeted by protesters. It isn't hard to understand their concern since Bahrain's protesters have already started online campaigns aimed at using the race to further their cause and with all the best will in the world it isn't possible to guarantee protection. Despite stringent security measures, a car carrying Jenson Button was accosted by machine gun-toting bandits on his way from qualifying for last year's Grand Prix in Brazil - a destination beset by crime but not the kind of violence seen in Bahrain this year. Some media outlets aren't taking any chances.
A source at the BBC told Pitpass' business editor Chris Sylt that any journalists reporting for the corporation from Bahrain at the moment need to have taken a six day hostile environment course. He added that this regulation would only be waived after several consecutive months of peace in the country. So although Bahrain's F1 race is not due to take place until October this is still likely to apply and there is a good reason for it.
Organisations such as the BBC have insurance policies covering anyone working for it so if they have not followed its regulations this cover may not be valid. It could leave organisations exposed to legal action in the event of harm being caused to anyone working for it. Accordingly, it's no surprise that the BBC has courses which must be taken by any of its journalists who want to report in areas of unrest. This almost certainly doesn't just apply to media.
The activity guidelines of Ferrari sponsor Shell are so stringent that they even cover such seemingly trivial points as how corporate guests should be led up and down stairways by company representatives. It is hard to imagine that companies such as this will not have procedures in place which need to be followed by any representatives who visit potentially dangerous regions.
Some companies may well decide that they do not want to associate themselves with Bahrain and so boycott the race by not sending any representatives there. However, many will have no choice. For example, whilst broadcasters could report on the race from the comfort of a studio in their home country, all the teams as well as sponsors such as Shell, Pirelli and Petronas need to have technical representatives at the circuit to advise on the use of their products. The employees of most companies usually fight over getting passes to F1 races but Bahrain is likely to be an exception to that rule.