Journalists trained in international humanitarian law and conflict reporting

Journalists in the country have been urged to sensitize themselves on how best to report issues during armed conflict, as this can help protect rights and lives of civilians.

Director of Programs and Development at Malawi Red Cross, Gloria Kunyenga, made the remarks Tuesday in an interview after opening a two-day training for journalists on the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) at Red Cross National Training Centre in Dowa.

This is a law that provides not all means and methods of warfare but open to parties and that military victory may not come at a cost. And this revolves around three guidelines of distinction, proportionality and precaution.

Kunyenga said much as Malawi is generally a peaceful country, journalists must however know of the IHL as it provides crucial direction on the protection of civilians.

“IHL is one of the key issues that Red Cross puts as a priority when it comes to armed conflicts. As Malawi we do not actually experience this, but it is important and imperative for the media to know about the law because in case of a conflict, they are crucial in disseminating information to the public.

“This training represents an opportunity to equip media professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of conflict reporting, while also serving as ambassadors of for the principles of IHL,” she said.

Kunyenga however said the training does not come in anticipation of conflicts during the period, but only as an attempt to raise awareness on the IHL which she said there is a huge gap.

“We do not expect any violence, or armed conflict, but it is just to help journalists know how this law works in terms of armed conflict, how they can promote this law, so that people may know their rights and how they can protect themselves,” she said.

As a committee member of the International Humanitarian Committee, Red Cross also works with the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) and other organisations to create awareness about the IHL.

In his remarks, Lieutenant Colonel William Mfune, Deputy Chief of Legal Services in the MDF said the IHL is a law under Public International Law, which seeks to protect victims of armed conflict.

He said much as the MDF would be involved in any case of armed conflict, under the Geneva Conventions and its additional products, one of the key roles that the MDF is mandated to play is to disseminate issues of IHL.

Mfune further explained that it was important to engage the media for its crucial role it plays in disseminating information during armed conflict.

“There are so many human rights violations that can happen in conflict like sexual violence including rape, taking children as victims of armed conflict, and numerous other atrocities against civilians.

“So those are some of the issues that we are here to disseminate so that the media know them, and the media could play a role to sensitize the public on what to do in these situations,” he said.

Dickson Chivwati Gondwe, Executive Member of Bwaila Media Club, where the journalists were drawn from said the training comes at the right time as the country prepares for general elections in September.

“In case of conflict, the media will be able to report accurately on issues of conflict. And we have also seen how the political landscape has been in different parts of the country. So the media have been well updated on how they can report on these issues,” said Gondwe.

The training which was funded by the International Committee of the Red Cross, was held in conjunction with the MDF.