IHL Basics
What does IHL stand for?
International Humanitarian Law
What are journalists?
Storytellers who go to places that people cannot observe to report on events
What 5 letter word is usually placed on journalist vests and helmets to signal a non-combatant status?
PRESS
What is verification?
Verification is confirming information before publication
DAILY DOUBLE: How many Geneva conventions have there been?
4
What are civilians?
Individuals who do not belong in armed forces
Why is journalism in conflict important?
Journalism ensures the public is informed on events happening around the world so that people will make informed day-to-day decisions. OR It also helps maintain military integrity by holding parties accountable for actions during wartime.
How does a journalist lose civilian status?
They lose civilian status when they directly participate in hostilities.
What is neutrality?
It's a principle requiring journalists to avoid taking sides in conflict
Are freelance journalists part of the military?
No, they act on their own and choose to report on war/military. They get paid by news organizations if people see their stories as worthy of publication.
What is the purpose of IHL?
IHL limits the impact of armed conflict by protecting those who are not fighting
What are military objects?
Objects that effectively contribute to military action and gives military advantage
Which Geneva Convention became the first major piece of international law that applies to military journalists? (answer with a number)
3rd Geneva Convention
What is source protection?
It is the duty to protect those who share sensitive information.
Are military press considered civilians or combatants?
Combatants
What is the minimum age requirement for direct participation in hostilities under IHL?
15
DAILY DOUBLE: Where does the history of journalism in armed conflict trace back to? Hint: think of an epic
The history can be traced back to ancient Greece. The Illiad is an epic written about the Trojan War.
Which principle requires the parties of a conflict to distinguish between civilians and combatants?
Principle of Distinction
What does it mean to maintain independence?
Journalists must avoid being dependent on armed groups for access, be free from outside influences
Name an example of what direct participation in hostilities by journalists look like.
Answers must belong in any of the three categories: acts that affect military operations/ capacity of a party, cause harm to benefit a party, or the action taken by the individual is somehow linked to the harm that occurred.
ex: carrying weapons, firing gun, collecting and passing info to party rather than for public, using equipment for war, etc.
NOT: propaganda, reporting, embedded journalism
What are the Geneva Conventions & what do they do?
International treaties that set rules on how soldiers and civilians should be treated in war. The Geneva Conventions are the core of IHL.
Name one of the three types of military journalists
Freelance military journalists, war correspondents, military press
The international human rights law ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) is an international & legal framework for civil/political rights like the freedom of _____ and the freedom to _____ & _____ information by writing in print or any media forms.
freedom of expression, freedom to provide & seek information
What is the conflict of interest between public's right to information vs. national security?
Journalists have a right to tell the truth to the public but they must also realize that there is privileged or confidential information that the military cannot disclose out of risk of impacting safety.
What is a red zone?
A zone that is too dangerous for journalists to enter without having special permissions or being accompanied by military