The hazards on reporting in conflict areas...

What are the hazards faced by journalists working in conflict areas? How could they interact with humanitarian organisations in such situation? These are some of the issues addresed at a seminar on working and reporting on humanitarian issues in conflict areas organised by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The seminar held at the Nikko Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, today is organised in conjunction with the Asia Media Summit 2006. The day-long seminar also touched on the thought-provoking question of impartiality and neutrality in armed conflict situations and the safety of journalists in such situations. Speakers include journalists who had been to war zones and representatives of humanitarian bodies. ICRC decided to hold the seminar as an increasing number of journalists were travelling to war zones worldwide to report on armed conflicts. They frequently encounter humanitarian workers sent to provide much needed aid to war victims. The challenging and often life-threatening working environment in conflict zones requires that journalists and humanitarian workers have the knowledge and reporting skills necessary to succeed. These include an understanding of international humanitarian law, the legal framework designed to minimise the human suffering caused by armed conflict. Even as the seminar was taking place, pressmen and relief organisations from all over the world were heading for Indonesia after a devastating earthquake rocked large swathes of Central Java and Yogjakarta provinces yesterday. The 6.3 magnitude quake killed at least 6,000 people, injured some 46,000 and damaged or destroyed more than 139,000 homes.