On media law and media ethics in armed conflict, newspegged now in Ukraine: For all live, real-time media coverage: Media organizations are requested to NOT show the location or live movement of troops, militia forces, military vehicles etc. (delayed telecast or posting is allowed), do NOT show the location of storage of weapons, ammunition, communication facilities, supplies, or of bunkers etc. For interviews, if live or real-time, please use a medium shot of interviewees without landscape shots or long shots that may reveal their location (if live or real-time). Review guidelines and/or confer with your head office and colleagues. Do not pass on sensitive information to either side or to any party to the armed conflict such as specific number and strength of forces, specific number and kinds of weapons, specific amount of supplies etc, neither should you be used as part of a psywar in “revealing” false information. (for on-site social media users who are covering the war, be aware of media guidelines on live or real-time coverage of troop movements, or else, risk being “restrained” by the parties. Delayed posting is allowed).
(continuation of guidelines on conflict-reporting) : Be always in proper safety gear (bullet-proof) with visible markings as “media” or “press” on your clothes in a language that the parties will understand, equipped with a first aid kit and adequate communication devices, wear neutral colors or dark colors during coverage of armed conflict , unless during peace talks the parties agree on an allowed movement of a media contingent that will wear an identifying color for safety while crossing territories. Avoid wearing military wear like “camouflage” or fatigue.
(but for coverage of natural disasters, e.g. hurricanes, floods, earthquakes/ ruins, etc, outside of armed conflict, wear bright colors and, of course, adequate safety gear like a life jacket for floods, head gear for earthquakes, ruins, landslides, mining disasters).
Secure clearance from your head office if you are going to embed yourself with combatants. Stay safe.
After two or three weeks of continuous coverage of bombings and killings, you need to be replaced by another shift of your colleagues and be allowed time to “decompress”.
Your news organization is required to provide you with insurance beforehand (and all safety gear and training).
Only senior reporters or those with at least five years of experience in covering hostilities/ emergencies/ conflict, and with the proper and sufficient training, should be sent to cover wars, and, if in unfamiliar territory, should be assisted by local correspondents or at least a reliable local guide who knows the language, the place, its people, history, and customs/ culture. (Video, Feb. 25, 2022, Kyiv: CNN reporter on-cam live had to wear bulletproof flak jacket and head gear upon hearing bomb blasts in Kyiv, Ukraine four days ago)
marichulambino.com 