Humanitarian journalism needs to focus on the dignity, rights, and needs of affected individuals rather than just reporting events. In crisis situations, the media should inform responsibly, avoid causing harm, and foster public action, especially amid shrinking access and audience fatigue.

These principles were explored in a workshop on “Humanitarian Journalism During Armed Conflict and Emergencies,” organized by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Murree. Editors, writers, and religious media creators shared insights on international humanitarian law (IHL), ethical journalism, and the role of religious media.

The workshop featured sessions led by experts like Dr. Ziaullah Rahmani on IHL, Dr. Saqib Jawad on the Geneva Conventions, and senior journalist Tariq Habib on humanitarian journalism protocols. Participants engaged in discussions about humanitarian principles and practical training on developing content related to humanitarian issues.

Key takeaways included the recognition that humanitarian crises are increasingly complex, the importance of adhering to humanitarian ethics, and the evolving nature of humanitarian services towards resilience and community-based responses. Dr. Rahmani emphasized that humanitarian journalism is a moral responsibility tied to human dignity and encouraged participants to promote a responsible media environment in crises. The workshop underscored IPS and ICRC’s commitment to enhancing humanitarian discourse and the capacity of religious media to report conflicts and emergencies accurately.