Former British newspaper editor Stan Szecowka was forced to distribute copies of his paper last week in very dangerous circumstances.
As editor of the Gulf Weekly in Bahrain, Szecowka could not rely on the normal distribution methods during the state of emergency.
"I ended up carting a load of papers to the Dilmun Club and the Rugby Club where many of the expats seek sanctuary," he told HoldTheFrontPage.
Even getting to and from work proved a challenge for the former editor of the now-defunct Clifton Chronicle and deputy editor of the Bristol Evening Post. He had to pass through barricades while avoiding oncoming tanks.
In his splash story, headlined United Front, Szecowka reported that "expats were warned to stay indoors by their embassies."
He quoted similar advice from British ambassador, Jamie Bowden after "demonstrators erected home-made barricades outside the British embassy."
His report told of Bahraini police clashing with protestors in violent confrontations, and reported the death of a 30-year-old Pakistani. A Bangladeshi resident also suffered serious head injuries.
Szecowka told HTFP: "We managed to get some cracking photos and reports on Monday when the GCC forces arrived just in time for deadline... my brave photographer set out for a look and came back with a great image for page 3."
Szecowka took up the job in Bahrain in January 2007.
Sources: HoldTheFrontPage/Gulf Weekly
