change or move forward. As a consequence, I find it
hard to believe that the RWB’s recommendation of a
new position to enforce journalists’ protection will really
work, due to the red tape that would stop them.
“existing laws do provide enough protection”, as they
are a “basis for shielding media professionals”. However,
he goes on to say that the “deficiency is not a lack of
rules, but rather a failure to implement existing rules
and to systematically investigate, prosecute, and punish
So what can be done? The French Defence Departviolations”11, and rightly so too, as many crimes against
ment’s Delegation for Defence Information and Commuthe media often go unpunished.
nication (DICoD) hosts two annual training sessions to
journalists with lessons on self-defence, first aid, from
But how can we punish violations? Firstly, we must find
stress management to weapon use. It’s supposed to
who is directly accountable, as too often it is large
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prepare them for life reporting a war zone . RWB also
groups or governments. If found guilty, they should be
lends bullet proof clothing and GPS personal distress
trialled under the International Criminal Court (ICC).
beacons for free. However, these are all defensive raWithout proper punishment, history repeats itself. And
ther than preventative measures to help journalists. It’d before it gets to that stage, governments should sign
be much better if we could find a way to stop violence
agreements agreeing to compliance in protecting jouragainst journalists, rather than teach them how to use a nalists, and thusly taken to the ICC. Another option
light machine gun7. But how to prevent the matter from would be economic sanctions against the guilty country,
the root, I have no idea. Stop IS, I suppose. Easier said
but too often those countries that perpetrate violence
than done.
against journalists are the ones with extremist groups or
governments, and the ones with extremism are counHowever, that’s not all that can help journalists. The
tries with severe social and economic issues. To punish
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has
them in this way would potentially make them more
many measures in place to aid journalists in times of
desperate and therefore radicalise them further.
crisis. “Since 1985 [the ICRC] have had a permanent hotline available to journalists who find themselves in trou- “Well then,” I hear you ask, “If you have all the answers,
ble, [or for others] to report a missing, wounded, or de- why is it all still happening?” I sit and ponder this questained journalist and request assistance”. In an interview tion, leaning back in my velvet armchair, cigar in hand.
Just kidding; I don’t smoke. Anyway, I have no idea. ■
with Robin Geiss, an ICRC legal expert, he stated that
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