Empowering Voices in Conflict: ICRC Trains Journalists to Navigate Humanitarian Crises

English , Kashmir - آزاد جموں کشمیر , Snippets , / Monday, January 6th, 2025

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(By: Adnan Qureshi)
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is one of the world’s oldest and largest
humanitarian organizations, with a strong presence in Pakistan since 1947. With its core
principle of humanity, the ICRC has been instrumental in delivering humanitarian aid,
ensuring basic healthcare, providing physical rehabilitation services, promoting International
Humanitarian Law, and assisting vulnerable communities in conflict zones. Three times
Nobel Prize laureate, the ICRC works to help people affected by armed conflicts and other
situations of violence.
In the face of on-going humanitarian crises, the need for accurate and responsible reporting
has never been more critical. In conflicts and humanitarian crises, accurate and timely
information is as important as food, shelter, medicines and water for the affected
community. The right and timely information plays a crucial role not only for the affected
community but it is also for the general audience and can save lives, livelihoods and
resources and can lead to a deeper understanding of needs and ways to respond. The wrong
and delayed information, on the other hand, can lead to inappropriate even dangerous
interventions. Humanitarian assistance plays a pivotal role during conflict, and dependence
on humanitarian assistance has increased immensely. According to the United Nations’
recent global humanitarian overview, over 305 million people globally will require
humanitarian assistance in 2025, driven largely by conflict and climate change. In this
context, Pakistan, with its history of both man-made and natural disasters, have seen
millions displaced due to conflict and natural calamities, including devastating floods,
earthquakes, and climate-induced disasters.
The journalists have an integral role to play in a humanitarian situation, one that goes
beyond the simple documentation of a crisis at hand, and not considering the most
expansive scenario. The best reporting on a major incident includes a variety of accurate
information including data, analysis, compassion, human voices, and outreach and first
hand accounts. The information must come from different sources, i.e. government,
stakeholders, NGOs, INGOs, UN Agencies, local aid organizations, affected communities and
more.
Humanitarian reporting is not restricted to reporting on humanitarian aid efforts—it is
about telling the full story of a crisis, along a timeline that includes pre-crisis vulnerabilities
and preparedness of communities at risk from conflict and natural disaster, through slow or
rapid onset of the actual humanitarian crisis, the immediate needs and coping mechanism
of the community, the mounting of humanitarian response, unfolding of aid efforts, and to
stabilization and finally to the stage where the affected community begins to develop again.
Many situations take years to move through this cycle from disaster to development,
humanitarian reporting remains important throughout the cycle.
However, while Pakistan’s humanitarian emergencies have been covered by the local,
national and international media, there is a critical gap in training for journalists on how to
report effectively during these crises. The ICRC has recognized this need and, to address it,
has recently organized two workshops in Islamabad, for the journalists of Khyber
Pukhtunkhawa aimed at building and enhancing the capacity of journalists in humanitarian
reporting.
These workshops brought together over 40 journalists from different beats, including
females, from print and electronic media across the province. The first workshop was
attended by journalists from the merged areas and Kashmir, while the second focused on
Peshawar and other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The workshops were designed to
enhance journalists’ understanding of humanitarian reporting, focusing on the importance
of communicating accurate and timely information to affected communities and the general
audience.
During two-day workshops, the sessions covered a wide range of topics, including the
complex nature of humanitarian crises, the challenges journalists face in conflict zones, and
the ethical considerations when reporting on conflict, disasters, and emergencies. Resource
persons shared first-hand experiences from past crises, providing valuable insights into the
humanitarian context and the role of journalists during such events.
A key part of the training was dedicated to disaster reporting, complex emergencies, and
violence—topics that require a nuanced and ethical approach. Journalists learned how to
report on ongoing conflicts, natural and climate-induced disasters, and the impact of
violence on vulnerable communities. The workshops also addressed the challenges
journalists face when covering these topics, especially in high-risk environments. Resource
persons shared their experiences and offered insights into the best practices for sensitive
and balanced reporting.
One of the core aspects of the workshops was the discussion of the laws and frameworks
that govern journalism in crises. Journalists were briefed on the laws relating to access to
information, freedom of expression, and the regulatory roles of institutions such as PEMRA.
The training also highlighted laws concerning defamation, contempt of court, and the
Official Secrets Act, among others, providing a comprehensive overview of legal and ethical
boundaries journalists must navigate.
Journalists play a crucial role in shaping public understanding, raising awareness of urgent
needs, and ensuring that the affected communities receive the right information at the right
time. This can ultimately lead to better responses and outcomes for those in crises. A major
focus was also placed on how journalists can effectively build trust with affected
communities and other sources, stressing the importance of verifying information through
multiple channels. The workshop encouraged journalists to avoid sensationalism and
stereotypes, respect the dignity and privacy of individuals, and provide context and analysis
to help audiences understand the complexities of humanitarian crises.
One of the standout sessions focused on social media, its importance, and its use during
humanitarian crises, conflicts, and emergencies. The journalists also explored how social
media platforms can serve as critical tools for real-time information dissemination, public
awareness, and advocacy. The session emphasized the need for journalists to verify content,
combat misinformation, and responsibly use social media to amplify credible voices.
Journalists were encouraged to leverage social media not just as a reporting tool but as a
means to connect with affected communities, humanitarian organizations, and global
audiences. The session also highlighted how social media can facilitate two-way
communication, enabling journalists to gather insights from the ground while providing
timely, life-saving information to those in crisis.
The ICRC’s workshops emphasized the importance of journalists in providing accurate
information that could save lives, preserve livelihoods, and help community’s access vital
resources. By equipping reporters with the necessary tools and understanding, the ICRC
aims to ensure that the media continues to serve as a vital bridge between affected
communities humanitarian organizations, governments, and the general public.
As Pakistan continues to face both natural and man-made disasters, the role of responsible
and well-trained journalists becomes even more critical. Through these workshops, the ICRC
is helping to equip journalists with the knowledge and skills they need to report on
humanitarian crises effectively and responsibly. By fostering accurate, empathetic, and
ethical reporting, journalists can play a pivotal role in ensuring that the right information
reaches those who need it most during times of crisis.
(The Writer is the Communication Officer at Pakistan Red Crescent Society AJK)