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Section
Media and international humanitarian law
©ICRC/A. Ruggeri/ref. pe-d-00006-2
The right of journalists to freely exercise their profession is not addressed by international humanitarian law and therefore does not come within the ICRC's purview. However, the ICRC does deal with issues of humanitarian concern arising in connection with the disappearance or capture of journalists in wartime or the detention of journalists in situations of internal disturbances or tension.

International humanitarian law mentions journalists in two ways: war correspondents and journalists engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict.

War correspondents are representatives of the media who are accredited to and accompany the armed forces without being members thereof. While being civilians, they are entitled to the same protections as prisoners of war in case of capture. Other journalists, including those engaged in areas of armed conflicts, enjoy the same rights and protections as all civilians. Provided that they do not undertake any action which could jeopardise their civilian status, journalists are protected in the same way as all other civilians against attacks.

Key document
Feature
    25-9-2008
    Azerbaijan: War reporters learn about the laws protecting them
    On 3 and 4 July 2008, the ICRC and the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) held a workshop on the rights that journalists have under international humanitarian law and international human rights law when they are on professional assignment in armed-conflict areas.
    (The ICRC worldwide\Eastern Europe and Central Asia\Azerbaijan)
    Feature

ICRC publication
    31-12-2002
    HOTLINE: assistance for journalists on dangerous assignments
    This brochure is intended for families and professional associations of journalists missing or detained in conflict situations. It describes what the ICRC can and cannot do for them, and the means it has available.
    (Info resources\ICRC publications and films\Publications\Protection)
    ICRC publication Includes PDF

International Review of the Red Cross
Legal article
    31-12-2004
    International Humanitarian Law in the Iraq Conflict
    The armed hostilities in Iraq throughout the last almost two years have raised numerous questions from the perspective of international humanitarian law. This article aims at addressing some of them. The focus will be on identifying the applicable law throughout the various stages of the hostilities and various problems that entail its practical application.
    (Humanitarian law\Conduct of hostilities)
    Legal articleKnut Dörmann, Laurent Colassis



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© 2009  International Committee of the Red Cross
22-11-2009