Martin Dep Walsh, LL.M, Griffith College, Cork, Ireland
Introduction
In a United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2854, adopted in 1971 on the protection of journalists engaged in dangerous missions in areas of armed conflict, the UN General Assembly outlined its awareness that ‘the provisions of the humanitarian conventions at present in force do not cover some categories of journalists engaged in dangerous missions and do not correspond to their present needs’.1 In 2003, in an attempt to “re-establish the authority of certain basic rules that are too often flouted”, Reporters Without Borders adopted the “Declaration on the safety of journalists and media personnel in situations involving armed conflict”.2 In 2006, in response to escalating attacks on journalists internationally, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1738 on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict, specifically condemning attacks against journalists and media professionals in armed conflict.
