[DRAFT] Upholding Journalistic Freedom in Wartime

[Kenmoria]

Upholding Journalistic Freedom in Wartime

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Category: Education | Area of Effect: Free Press

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The World Assembly,

Aware that journalism is crucial for creating an intelligent and informed populace able to effectively comprehend the challenges of their lives;

Noting, specifically, the importance of wartime journalism as a means for the people to gain knowledge about events that have the potential to affect the entire international community;

Concerned by the void in international law upholding the right to a free press specifically in wartime, following the repeal of previous legislation on this topic; and

Resolving that there is a need for a piece of General Assembly law that protects wartime journalists and thus protects the people’s right to information;

Hereby,

1. Defines a ‘journalist’, for the purposes of this resolution, as a person who gathers and relays information, with the sole intention of publishing this information for the public;

2. Defines a ‘wartime journalist’ as a journalist who reports on events occurring in wartime from inside an area where military activities are taking place, have recently taken place, or will soon take place, and who has no intention of hindering or working against one or more legitimate sides in the conflict;

3. Charges the World Assembly Compliance Commission (WACC) with establishing clear and externally-obvious identification signifying member states’ wartime journalists as being such, and further charges the WACC with making this identification publicly available to member states and the governments thereof;

4. Mandates that all wartime journalists wear this aforementioned identification, and clarifies that wartime journalists who fail to do so are not protected under the auspices of this resolution;

5. Prohibits active members of a member state’s military from utilising the identification required in clause 3;

6. Compels member nations to permit wartime journalists access to any areas over which that nation holds jurisdiction, unless –

1. The area is private property and the owner, who is not a military or governmental entity (excluding those acting as a private citizen and with no intention to unduly hinder journalism) nor purchased the property on behalf of one, of that property has not consented to the presence of journalists,
2. Allowing access to the area has a high chance of causing loss of life or damage to property, and this risk cannot be reasonably mitigated, or
3. Obtaining access to that area poses serious technical or logistical difficulties not able to remedied without sustained effort or great expense;

7. Clarifies that, with regards to clause 6a, if a property is owned jointly between persons who are able to deny consent to journalists and persons who are not, those persons who would ordinarily be able to deny consent to the entrance of journalists are still able to do so;

8. Permits wartime journalists to report on any activities occurring as part of military action, unless reporting on these activists could result in loss of life or military equipment, the breach of World Assembly legislation pertaining to privacy, or the jeopardisation of lawful military activities;

9. Prohibits member nations from restricting the movement or actions of journalists, except either in accordance with the exceptions listed in this resolution to journalists’ freedoms, or where the journalists’ actions would be prohibited for a normal civilian not performing journalistic activities and not inside a warzone;

10. Urges member states to fully brief all wartime journalists on the dangers of reporting in wartime in an unbiased manner; and

11. Exempts from the protections of this resolution any wartime journalist who has been found to have committed or be planning to commit espionage, or who has attempted to unduly interfere with legitimate military actions.

“Be as harsh as is necessary in critiquing this.”

[Tinhampton]

CONCERNED: "a previous legislation" ---> "multiple pieces of legislation" (???)
Article 3: "where" ---> "wear" (spelling error)

[Tinfect]

"This has all the problems of last time," said Rahlen, "You're still requiring that the Imperium lets civilians into active war zones. Given that we actually care about our citizen's lives, we can't support this either."

[Kenmoria]

"This has all the problems of last time," said Rahlen, "You're still requiring that the Imperium lets civilians into active war zones. Given that we actually care about our citizen's lives, we can't support this either."

“It is true that I am still requiring that the Imperium, and ever other member state, lets civilians into war zones. Member states can make the risks of this as clear as possible, so if a journalist chooses to go in anyway, that is his or her choice. If someone wants to sacrifice their own life for the sake of upholding people’s rights to free information, that is something that ought to be commended rather than banned.”

CONCERNED: "a previous legislation" ---> "multiple pieces of legislation" (???)
Article 3: "where" ---> "wear" (spelling error)

(OOC: Both have been corrected, thanks.)

[Tinfect]

“It is true that I am still requiring that the Imperium, and ever other member state, lets civilians into war zones. Member states can make the risks of this as clear as possible, so if a journalist chooses to go in anyway, that is his or her choice. If someone wants to sacrifice their own life for the sake of upholding people’s rights to free information, that is something that ought to be commended rather than banned.”

"Your callous disregard for your own people's safety is noted."

[Honeydewistania]

“It is true that I am still requiring that the Imperium, and ever other member state, lets civilians into war zones. Member states can make the risks of this as clear as possible, so if a journalist chooses to go in anyway, that is his or her choice. If someone wants to sacrifice their own life for the sake of upholding people’s rights to free information, that is something that ought to be commended rather than banned.”

"Your callous disregard for your own people's safety is noted."

"I’d recommend ignoring this, as the Imperium is using safety as an excuse to suppress journalistic freedom, which one unsurprising to say the least."

[Willingdon and Jevington]

Support.

[Tinfect]

"I’d recommend ignoring this, as the Imperium is using safety as an excuse to suppress journalistic freedom, which one unsurprising to say the least."

"What is it with you foreigners and pulling rights out of thin air? 'Journalistic freedom' is the right to publish journalism without undue interference, not the right to ignore evacuation orders, and put Imperial soldiers at risk, to take pictures in a damn warzone. We have an obligation in the Imperium to either evacuate, or take all possible measures to protect civilian lives in a warzone; Imperial Soldiers can and should be discharged and prosecuted for failing that. You people are demanding that any random civilian be allowed to violate safety measures that protect not just them, but everyone else. No. Absolutely not. I don't see what's wrong with objecting to that."

[Honeydewistania]

"I’d recommend ignoring this, as the Imperium is using safety as an excuse to suppress journalistic freedom, which one unsurprising to say the least."

"What is it with you foreigners and pulling rights out of thin air? 'Journalistic freedom' is the right to publish journalism without undue interference, not the right to ignore evacuation orders, and put Imperial soldiers at risk, to take pictures in a damn warzone. We have an obligation in the Imperium to either evacuate, or take all possible measures to protect civilian lives in a warzone; Imperial Soldiers can and should be discharged and prosecuted for failing that. You people are demanding that any random civilian be allowed to violate safety measures that protect not just them, but everyone else. No. Absolutely not. I don't see what's wrong with objecting to that."

"Maybe have a provision that civilians that violate reasonable safety measures be barred from entering or face criminal punishment? Although that might mean Journalists wearing riot gear, but safety first!"

[Great Clotet]

Upholding Journalistic Freedom in Wartime

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Category: Education | Area of Effect: Free Press

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The World Assembly,

Aware that journalism is crucial for creating an intelligent and informed populace able to effectively comprehend the challenges of their lives;

Noting, specifically, the importance of wartime journalism as a means for the people to gain knowledge about events that have the potential to directly affect them or their nations;

Concerned by the void in international law upholding the right to a free press specifically in wartime, following the repeal of previous legislation on this topic; and

Resolving that there is a need for a piece of General Assembly legislation that protects wartime journalists and thus protects the people’s right to information;

Hereby,

1. Defines a ‘journalist’, for the purposes of this resolution, as a person who relays information, about events they have witnessed firsthand or about events they have gained knowledge of through directly asking people who have witnesses the event firsthand, with the intention of distributing this information to the public, either directly or through the aid of a company or group;

2. Defines a ‘wartime journalist’ as a journalist who reports on events occurring in wartime from inside an area where military activities are taking place, have recently taken place, or will soon take place;

3. Mandates that all wartime journalists wear clear and externally-obvious identification signifying their status as such, and clarifies that wartime journalists who fail to do so are not protected under the auspices of this resolution;

4. Compels member nations to permit wartime journalists access to any areas over which that nation holds jurisdiction, unless –

1. The area is private property and the owner, who is not a military or governmental entity nor purchased the property on behalf of one, of that property has not consented to the presence of journalists,
2. Allowing access to the area has a high chance of causing loss of life or damage to property, and this risk cannot be reasonably mitigated, or
3. Obtaining access to that area poses serious technical or logistical difficulties not able to remedied without sustained effort or great expense;

5. Permits wartime journalists to report on any activities occurring as part of military action, unless reporting on these activists could result in loss of life or military equipment, or the jeopardisation of lawful military activities;

6. Prohibits member nations from restricting the movement or actions of journalists, except either in accordance with the exceptions listed in this resolution to journalists’ freedoms, or where the journalists’ actions would be prohibited for a normal civilian not performing journalistic activities and not inside a warzone; and

7. Exempts from the protections of this resolution any wartime journalist who has been found to have committed or be planning to commit espionage, or who has attempted to interfere with legitimate military actions.

“Be as harsh as is necessary in critiquing this.”

"This sounds like a necessary and reasonable proposal. However, due to safety concerns for both the journalist and those around them, and to prevent those committing espionage from going into battlefields, would an 'acceptance' process be allowed? Perhaps giving all wartime journalists the above rights on the condition they are searched before they enter military areas, and after they leave? Otherwise, support."

[Kenmoria]

"This sounds like a necessary and reasonable proposal. However, due to safety concerns for both the journalist and those around them, and to prevent those committing espionage from going into battlefields, would an 'acceptance' process be allowed? Perhaps giving all wartime journalists the above rights on the condition they are searched before they enter military areas, and after they leave? Otherwise, support."

“Searching wartime journalists before entry, in order to make sure that they are not secretly spies, would be in compliance with this proposal. It is impossible, after all, for most member states to teleport willing journalists directly from their homes onto the battlefield. As long as these searches don’t have the effect of preventing eligible journalists from gaining entry, they are fine. Thank you for your support.”

[Northern Adve Akiand]

“We strongly support this legislation in the interests of international accountability.”

[Kenmoria]

“We strongly support this legislation in the interests of international accountability.”

“Thank you for your support.”

“A new clause has been added to this proposal in response to discussions with the Honeydewistanian delegation. Thoughts are welcome.”

[Great Clotet]

"This sounds like a necessary and reasonable proposal. However, due to safety concerns for both the journalist and those around them, and to prevent those committing espionage from going into battlefields, would an 'acceptance' process be allowed? Perhaps giving all wartime journalists the above rights on the condition they are searched before they enter military areas, and after they leave? Otherwise, support."

“Searching wartime journalists before entry, in order to make sure that they are not secretly spies, would be in compliance with this proposal. It is impossible, after all, for most member states to teleport willing journalists directly from their homes onto the battlefield. As long as these searches don’t have the effect of preventing eligible journalists from gaining entry, they are fine. Thank you for your support.”

OOC: Thanks for the clarification, full support! Good luck!

[Pope Saint Peter the Apostle]

OOC: I just gave it a quick read and so far have one suggestion. Consider prohibiting member states from dressing their soldiers and other military officials in outfits as described in clause 3.

[Kenmoria]

OOC: I just gave it a quick read and so far have one suggestion. Consider prohibiting member states from dressing their soldiers and other military officials in outfits as described in clause 3.

(OOC: That was a good suggestion, thanks. I have added a clause to that effect.)

[Sancta Romana Ecclesia]

I would strongly urge to include some credentials being required to be considered a wartime journalist. Random internet blogger should not be allowed in the warzone, that will just make him killed.

[Pope Saint Peter the Apostle]

I would strongly urge to include some credentials being required to be considered a wartime journalist. Random internet blogger should not be allowed in the warzone, that will just make him killed.

The Holy Empire disagrees. A free press cannot exist when access to warzones is limited to such a system. If a warzone truly is too dangerous for a particular reporter, s/he can simply not go to the warzone.

--Saint Francis de Sales, patron of writers and journalists
Membrum, Sanctum Collegium Cardinalium

[Ardiveds]

I would strongly urge to include some credentials being required to be considered a wartime journalist. Random internet blogger should not be allowed in the warzone, that will just make him killed.

The Holy Empire disagrees. A free press cannot exist when access to warzones is limited to such a system. If a warzone truly is too dangerous for a particular reporter, s/he can simply not go to the warzone.

--Saint Francis de Sales, patron of writers and journalists
Membrum, Sanctum Collegium Cardinalium

"When has risk of losing life ever stopped random people on the internet from doing stuff they shouldn't, ambassador?"

[Pope Saint Peter the Apostle]

The Holy Empire disagrees. A free press cannot exist when access to warzones is limited to such a system. If a warzone truly is too dangerous for a particular reporter, s/he can simply not go to the warzone.

--Saint Francis de Sales, patron of writers and journalists
Membrum, Sanctum Collegium Cardinalium

"When has risk of losing life ever stopped random people on the internet from doing stuff they shouldn't, ambassador?"

Perhaps not, but such freedom is required to allow for the democratisation of the free press; if individuals choose to risk their lives to provide the general public with information, they should be allowed to.

--Saint Francis de Sales, patron of writers and journalists
Membrum, Sanctum Collegium Cardinalium

[Kenmoria]

I would strongly urge to include some credentials being required to be considered a wartime journalist. Random internet blogger should not be allowed in the warzone, that will just make him killed.

“If there is a way to handle this that doesn’t allow a member state to restrict access to only journalists working for a particular point of view or to a particular standard, I would change the proposal to reflect your suggestion. Unfortunately, I can’t think of a way to do so that wouldn’t unreasonably restrict freedom of the press.”

[Sancta Romana Ecclesia]

I would strongly urge to include some credentials being required to be considered a wartime journalist. Random internet blogger should not be allowed in the warzone, that will just make him killed.

“If there is a way to handle this that doesn’t allow a member state to restrict access to only journalists working for a particular point of view or to a particular standard, I would change the proposal to reflect your suggestion. Unfortunately, I can’t think of a way to do so that wouldn’t unreasonably restrict freedom of the press.”

I was thinking of making it so a wartime journalist had to receive an accreditation from one of the WA member states. Any WA nation could do, not necessarily one of those fighting in the warzone.

My nation respects freedom of the press, but it also respects a person's life. And correspondent in a warzone that is basically just a random civilian is a really bad idea, as he can endanger not only himself but also others (e.g. by stepping on a mine, killing himself, and wounding somebody else by shrapnel from that).

[Honeydewistania]

Why are you so sure a random civilian is less likely to harm themselves or others compared to a journalist?

[Kenmoria]

“If there is a way to handle this that doesn’t allow a member state to restrict access to only journalists working for a particular point of view or to a particular standard, I would change the proposal to reflect your suggestion. Unfortunately, I can’t think of a way to do so that wouldn’t unreasonably restrict freedom of the press.”

I was thinking of making it so a wartime journalist had to receive an accreditation from one of the WA member states. Any WA nation could do, not necessarily one of those fighting in the warzone.

My nation respects freedom of the press, but it also respects a person's life. And correspondent in a warzone that is basically just a random civilian is a really bad idea, as he can endanger not only himself but also others (e.g. by stepping on a mine, killing himself, and wounding somebody else by shrapnel from that).

“That’s a good idea, but it runs into problems. What’s to stop a member state from accrediting someone based on a three-day online course? Likewise, and more seriously, what’s to stop an isolationist member state from neither accrediting anyone itself nor permitting its citizens to seek accrediting abroad, thus meaning that a potentially illegitimate action taken as part of a civil war goes unpromulgated?”

[Honeydewistania]

"I think the best compromise is to require member nations to brief Journalists on safety precautions and provide warnings of the danger they may face."

OOC: you have two clause 4, and I’d suggest prohibiting nations from ordering someone (that’s not a soldier) to wear that identification as well.