The Effectiveness of International Legal Protection For Media Workers During International Conflicts

Volume 16, Issue: 2 part 2
Autumn 2025
Pages 117-134

Author

Al-Rasheed University College Department of Law

Abstract
 This study addressed the importance of legal protection for media workers during international conflicts, as these workers are among the most vulnerable groups in the contexts of the aforementioned conflicts. Legal protection for media workers is based on a set of international treaties and agreements, such as the Geneva Conventions, which stipulate the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers, as well as the principles of international human rights law that guarantee freedom of expression and the right to access information. Legal protection for media workers also faces several challenges, including the absence of actual application of legal protection in many conflicts, as journalists' rights are violated with impunity. Direct threats to them from armed organizations and countries involved in the conflict, which puts journalists' lives at risk. National laws may also hinder the work of journalists or restrict their freedom. From international experiences, the study reviews some successful models in protecting media workers, such as international initiatives that seek to enhance the safety of journalists and provide them with legal support. And cooperation between countries to achieve better protection for media workers during conflicts. The results indicate that current legal protection is still insufficient, so international cooperation should be strengthened to enforce existing laws, establish mechanisms to monitor violations of journalists’ rights in conflicts, and raise public awareness of the importance of protecting and supporting journalists.

Keywords

Crossmark
  • Receive Date 01 February 2026