The relationship between journalists, aid organisations and militaries operating in war zones was the topic of discussion when well-known journalists, members of the International Committee for the Red Cross, and speakers from the New Zealand Defence Force met at Massey University in Wellington recently at a conference on reporting from war zones.
As three ‘actors’ operating in areas of conflict, journalists, aid workers, and militaries undoubtedly pursue different agendas and objectives.
Chris Cramer, the keynote speaker and global editor of Reuters, said, “Events such as this conference are really important, 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.”
One of the central issues debated was, ‘Can the military and the media work together to achieve their aims?’
Director of the Defence Communications Group, Commander Shaun Fogarty said he believed the media and the military could, and did, work well together, despite a perception that the military could sometimes be “unnecessarily secretive” and not always open to journalists.
CDR Fogarty explained that when the military puts restrictions on what journalists may publish or photograph, these restrictions invariably relate to issues of operational security and are about protecting the safety of personnel — or the journalists themselves. He gave the following example of the different observations that arise in a conflict zone: “A journalist sees an interesting vehicle; we see a configuration of weapons, technology, and armour. The journalist writing about, or photographing or filming the vehicle, may give an adversary an advantage and ultimately put lives at risk.”
CDR Fogarty said it was an ongoing challenge to accommodate journalists on overseas operations but the NZDF appreciated that journalists needed to be able to report from war zones, and NZDF tried to help media “hitch a ride” to areas of conflict when possible.
Embedded or Bust
Alex Van Wel of the Christchurch Press, the first journalist to be formally embedded with the New Zealand Defence Force, has just spent a month with the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan. On his return he described his experiences as an ‘embed’ for One Force.
By Alex van Wel
Full on. Yes, these two words probably best describe what it was like to spend a month with Kiwi troops in Afghanistan.
The scale of the task they face is extraordinary. The country literally gobbles up the assistance it is offered. But whether at Kiwi-base, on patrol, in Bagram, Kabul or Kandahar, my impression was the same. The work never ends, the energy of the Kiwis is admirable, their commitment unquestionable. They obviously were not used to having a journalist permanently in their midst though. Some juniors clearly found my humour, my irony and my independent purpose a little hard to bear. But in the end I think we understood each other.
A five-day patrol around election time was the highlight. The soldiers I travelled with were brilliant. In a hostile environment, with a heightened security threat, they continued to show the cultural sensitivity and professionalism which other coalition nations are often accused of lacking. They were also fearless. I’m talking about Pearce, Leckie, Turua, Panther, Dom, Moss, Ranky and Pom. All of them fully understood the country’s dire need for safety on election day, and did not flinch when the call came for them to ride straight into the Du Abe danger zone. Strapping yourself into a humvee, knowing there is a high risk of IED attack, takes courage. I wanted to run away. But the team approached the job with a mature and perfect resolve. I feel proud and privileged to have been with them on a key day in Afghanistan’s fragile bid for a stable and peaceful future.
Insights: Alex’s blog from Afghanistan
- Am I frightened? You bet I am.
- Going in with the military is one way of keeping safe. But it also means you become more of a target.
- Nobody enjoys being pinned down by rocket propelled grenades, especially when you’ve come to build a wall, fix a well, or repair a generator.
- I’m impartial, an independent observer. I take no sides in this peculiar war. My protective armour is blue, quite different and distinguishable from the military.
- If anything in this war was devised by Satan, it’s got to be IEDs … roadside bombs. They are laid under the soil, triggered a variety of different ways, and cause carnage when they go off.
- Sitting on the flight-line, the runway, the atmosphere is electric. A constant aerial display, jet-fighters, helicopters. Hercules, Chinooks, going in and out … it never seems to stop.
- Returning to a country without war, lawlessness and insecurity is very nice indeed. Four weeks in Afghanistan is certainly a cogent reminder of just how fortunate we are.