NEWS RELEASE

19 May 2009

Wellington Conference To Discuss The Challenges And Responsibilities Of Reporting War

For the first time in New Zealand, Wellington will play host to a conference where leading international and national journalists, as well as humanitarian, legal, military and academic speakers will debate how war is reported.

Providing an international perspective are Chris Cramer, global editor for multi media, Reuters, and former head of BBC’s worldwide newsgathering operation and CNN International; and Florian Westphal, head of media services and spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

“Events such as this conference are really important,” says Chris Cramer, “because they allow journalists the opportunity to debate with other actors working in conflict situations issues of mutual concern and at the same time allow journalists to reflect on the role they play in covering wars.

“Journalists have always believed that they earn their spurs by covering war and conflict. But it is not about them – it is about the impact their reporting has on others and the responsibilities they bear,” he says.

Florian Westphal says media and aid organisations play a key role when it comes to making the public aware of the horrors caused by war.

“Civilians are increasingly being targeted in conflict – despite the rules of war that exist to protect them,” he says. “Aid organisations can be stuck in a bind, where the risks of speaking out publicly may jeopardise their ability to help victims. Journalists, meanwhile, rightly count on such organisations to tell them what is happening on the ground. Conferences such as this one won't resolve this but they can help us to better manage our mutual expectations.”

From New Zealand well known and respected journalists from print, television and radio outlets, editors and decision makers from media organisations, representatives from New Zealand’s national International Humanitarian Law Committee, and speakers from the New Zealand Defence Force will bring their expertise to debating the issues the conference will bring forward.

The conference, hosted by Massey University, the ICRC and New Zealand Red Cross, will take place on Friday 22 May, at Massey University’s Wellington campus. The conference is free to attend, space is limited, with the primary audience being journalists, journalism students, humanitarians, and those interested in international humanitarian law.

More information about the Reporting Wars conference can be found at www.redcross.org.nz.

A corresponding conference on Reporting Wars was held in Sydney, Australia yesterday (Monday 18 May).

ENDS