Workshop discusses role of media in conflict zone
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 15 2013:
Two State scribes - Michael Yumlembam of The Sangai Express and Sonia Sorenshangbam of Poknapham daily attended a workshop on 'Media, Conflict Reporting and International Humanitarian Law' recently held at the hall of National Law University and Judicial Academy, Guwahati.
The workshop was jointly organised by International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Regional Delegation for South Asia in New Delhi, Centre for Advance Research and Training in International Humanitarian Law (CARTHL) and Journalist Forum Assam (JFA) on September 12 last.
Speaking at the opening session of the workshop, ICRC Regional Delegation for South Asia in New Delhi Deputy Head Benjamin Warren said that rectifying people's thinking which brings conflict is a must in order to resolve any standoff as such notion is usually the root cause for any conflict.
Saying that media plays important role in a conflict zone, he added that journalists must be careful in reporting sensitive issues.
|
Freedom of Press does not mean to let the mediapersons work freely alone, it is mainly meant to enable the scribes to disseminate the right information regarding different issues of the people of the area.
Although, there is no separate clause for Freedom of Press in the Constitution of India, it is assumed that it is included in the Freedom of Expression, he added.
National Law University and Judicial Academy Vice-Chancellor Prof Gurjit Singh and Indian Red Cross Society, Assam State Branch Chairperson Renuka Chowdhury Barkatari and Assam Police Additional Director General BJ Mahanta also attended the workshop.
Speaking on the topic, 'conflict reporting and international humanitarian law', ICRC Regional Delegation in New Delhi Communication and Political Advisor Surinder Singh Oberoi said, while working at a war zone, mediapersons must always carry their press emblem and symbol.
They must be capable to identify the sounds of gunshots and explosions.
During past few years, 19 mediapersons have lost their lives in Africa, 20 in Asia, nine in Europe, eight in America and 11 in Middle East.
Maintaining that no provision for the protection of journalists at war zones have been formulated in any country so far, Surinder Singh Oberoi said that there is need for chalking out plans to protect journalists in order to enable them to work responsibly.