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Bearing witness: Should journalists testify at the International War Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia

Posted on:2006-07-15Degree:M.JType:Thesis
University:Carleton University (Canada)Candidate:Beattie, Sherri JFull Text:PDF
GTID:2456390008955901Subject:Journalism
Abstract/Summary:
The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia has had more than a dozen journalists testify in its proceedings. This thesis explores the role of journalists in reporting from Bosnia, their influence on the public and policy makers, the idea of the journalist as global citizen, the influence of globalization and the human rights movement on conflict reporting, and the ethical questions---including the perceived need for journalists to maintain objectivity and neutrality---that confront war correspondents in deciding whether to testify. The focus of the thesis is the Randal decision from the ICTY in which the issue of compelling a journalist to testify through the use of a subpoena was challenged in 2002. The Tribunal's Appeals Chamber granted qualified privilege to war correspondents thus establishing a new precedent within international law. The decision also prompted new thinking about a global concept of media freedom based on a public interest privilege.
Keywords/Search Tags:Journalists, Testify, International, War
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