The Defense Department has updated its guidance for DoD military and civilian personnel who implement the law of war in support of military operations.
DoD said Friday the update on the 2015 Law of War manual provided to military commanders, legal practitioners and other personnel covers international law principles that establish measures to protect journalists.
“[DoD] lawyers heard concerns brought forward by media organizations and engaged in a productive, thoughtful dialogue with journalists that helped us improve the manual and communicate more clearly the department’s support for the protection of journalists under the law of war,” said Jennifer O’Connor, DoD general counsel.
“The department’s mission is to defend the very freedoms that journalists exercise.”
DoD noted it will continue to collaborate with the public regarding the manual and update it in the future as needed.
The updated version of the manual can be found here.
