Journalists' Rights in Armed Conflicts

Biglarbeigi, Kian; Solhchi, Sara; Azizi, Sattar

doi:10.22034/lrsi.2025.507146.1332

Journalists' Rights in Armed Conflicts

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Kian Biglarbeigi ¹

Sara Solhchi ²

Sattar Azizi ³

¹ Ph.D. Candidate in International Law, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: kian.biglarbeigi@gmail.com

² MA. in Intellectual Property Law, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Allameh Tabataba'I University, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: solhchis@gmail.com

³ Corresponding author, Professor, Department of Law, Faculty of Humanities, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran. E-mail: s.azizi@basu.ac.ir

10.22034/lrsi.2025.507146.1332

Abstract

Objective: Journalists' rights have frequently been violated, both in times of peace and armed conflict. Accordingly, the main research question of this study is: What rights do journalists have under the framework of international humanitarian law? Furthermore, given the rapid expansion of technology and the emergence of cyber warfare, it is also necessary to examine journalists' rights in the context of cyber warfare.
Methods: The present article adopts an analytical-descriptive approach and utilizes a library-based research method to analyze relevant documents, customary international law, and pertinent resolutions.
Results: Mass media and their human agents enjoy press freedom as one of the fundamental conditions of the right to freedom of information. Journalists and reporters, through accurate, clear, and precise reporting on the actions of officials and authorities, inform the public about the fulfillment of duties as well as any errors committed. Therefore, as long as press freedom is not curtailed, they can play a significant role in the progress and development of society. On the other hand, in times of crisis, the media serve as a crucial communication tool that informs people about events occurring in different locations and, as an intermediary mechanism, helps save lives. Consequently, during armed conflicts, journalists'rights gain special importance as they play a key role in transmitting information and ensuring transparency in ongoing issues, making the protection of journalists' security a matter of paramount importance.
Conclusions: The violation of journalists’ rights can be considered: first, as a breach of international obligations that states have undertaken by signing and ratifying various agreements and treaties; second, as a violation of international humanitarian law rules due to their customary nature; third, as a factor that undermines the credibility and development of human rights at the international level; and fourth, as grounds for prosecution by the International Criminal Court or other competent tribunals for crimes committed against journalists. Therefore, in this context, given that violations of journalists’ rights not only raise ethical concerns but also entail serious legal and international consequences for states, protecting journalists’ rights must be regarded as a necessity.

Keywords

Journalist

Armed Conflict

International Humanitarian Law

Cyber Warfare

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