In wartime, journalists face special challenges and responsibilities. Their task is not only to provide objective information, but also to observe high standards of professional ethics. Journalists are witnesses of historic events and the availability of reliable information to the public depends on their work. They are responsible not only for their profession, but also for their own safety and that of the military and civilians with whom they may cooperate.
The main requirement for journalists in wartime is to comply with national and international legislation, as well as to adhere to codes of ethics, in particular the Code of Ethics of the Ukrainian Journalist, the Declaration of Principles of Conduct for Journalists, and other international standards of professional ethics. However, journalists are often faced with a dispersion of regulations and guidelines governing their work during war. This can create additional difficulties, especially for foreign correspondents, for whom language barriers and search for relevant documents become serious obstacles.
This guide is designed to be a reliable resource for journalists, bringing together the most important rules, guidelines and recommendations for working in wartime. It will help media professionals find the right path in difficult situations while ensuring the quality and safety of their work.
CEDEM provides free legal advice on a wide variety of media issues. In times of war, we continue to help journalists and the media. If the guide does not answer your question, please contact info@cedem.org.ua.
Download the Legal Guide for Journalists
This guide was created by the Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law with financial support from International Media Support.
