Safety resources for journalists travelling abroad. The intensity of the violence against foreign journalists in Egypt in early February served as a reminder that media personnel often become targets when they are covering unrest. To help protect journalists when they travel abroad, Reporters Without Borders offers: Insurance policies covering war risks The loan of bullet-proof vests and helmets A free “Press SOS” hotline for journalists in trouble A Handbook for Journalists Training for reporters going to war zones Information about the trauma that can result from covering war and disasters, and psychological support.
Insurance policies tailored to journalists’ needs Because of a lack of information and the prohibitive premiums requested by traditional insurance companies, journalists often set off for war zones and disasters without medical and repatriation cover. Signing up for a policy is fast. Loan of bullet-proof vests and helmets Press SOS hotline Preparation and information Psychological support. International Humanitarian Law - Additional Protocol I 1977. International Humanitarian Law - UNGA Resolution Human Rights in Armed Conflicts 1968. SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS ATTACKS AGAINST JOURNALISTS IN CONFLICT SITUATIONS, UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTING RESOLUTION 1738 (2006)
Security Council 5613th Meeting (PM) Deeply concerned at the frequency of acts of violence, including deliberate attacks, in many parts of the world against journalists, media professionals and associated personnel, in armed conflicts, the Security Council today condemned such attacks and called on all parties to put an end to such practices. Unanimously adopting resolution 1738 (2006), the Council recalled, without prejudice to the war correspondents’ right to the status of prisoners of war under the Third Geneva Convention, that journalists, media professionals and associated personnel engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict shall be considered civilians, to be respected and protected as such.
In that connection, the Council recalled its demand that all parties to armed conflict comply with their obligations under international law to protect civilians in armed conflict. The meeting was called to order at 12:42 p.m. and adjourned at 12:45 p.m. Resolution “1. The protection of journalists and news media personnel in armed conflict. With journalists covering "wars" finding themselves confronted with ever more complicated, delicate and dangerous working conditions, it is important to recall their special protection under international humanitarian law. In this article, the author looks at the protection regime offered by IHL to journalists and the media in the context of armed conflicts, both under the general regime of civilians and civilian objects, as under the specific provisions concerning journalists.
Abstract The recent war in Iraq is a perfect illustration of the growing risks faced by journalists working in conflict zones. It is therefore important to call renewed attention to the fact that attacks against journalists and media equipment are illegal under international humanitarian law, which protects civilian persons and objects, as long as they are not making an effective contribution to military action.