Exposing North Korean War Prisoners: A breach of Journalistic Responsibility
Images of Injured North Korean War Prisoners: German Press Council Expresses Disapproval - Images of North Korean War detainees: German Press Ethics Commission
In a questionable move, images of war prisoners, displaying their visible injuries, were revealed in graphic detail. This instance, as stated by the German Press Council, is a severe violation of journalistic duty and a clear breach of relevant provisions in the press code.
The council's concern is rooted in the regulations set by the 1949 Geneva Convention, which prohibit war prisoners from becoming subjects of 'public curiosity' via identifying publications. This, in modern terms, implies that media outlets should disseminate pixelated images to protect the privacy and well-being of these individuals.
The German Press Council, an association that monitors ethical standards in print and digital media, issued six public rebukes for violations of duty at its April meetings. Other cases included a report with unsubstantiated accusations against a Green Bundestag member, inadequate anonymization of a suspect in a criminal investigation, and biased reporting on a defendant in a rape trial.
The council, responsible for the print and online media, isn't tasked with overseeing television and radio stations or their online platforms.
- Geneva Convention and Prisoner Dignity
- Breach of Duty
- Public Interest vs. Privacy
While the Geneva Convention doesn't explicitly stipulate rules regarding image publications, some key principles apply:
- Humane treatment: The ban on physical and mental abuse, intimidation, insults, and public curiosity protects war prisoners from inhumane treatment and public ridicule.
- Personal autonomy: War prisoners continue to possess civil rights, which could imply the need for their consent before using their images, even though this isn't directly addressed.
- Public curiosity: While the prohibition on "public curiosity" may not explicitly ban photography, exploitative or sensational media coverage that compromises dignity or safety is forbidden.
Purpose, context, and potential harm are crucial factors to consider when judging whether the images are permissible. Neutral documentation (e.g., Red Cross reporting) may be allowed in certain situations. However, images used for propaganda, humiliation, or dehumanization would undoubtedly violate the convention.
Despite the lack of enforcement mechanisms for non-state actors or inconsistent compliance in practice, the Geneva Convention provides a legal foundation for restricting publications that harm war prisoners, such as those from North Korea, a signatory to the convention.
- The dissemination of pixelated photos of North Korean prisoners of war is essential to uphold the Geneva Convention's principles, which prohibit public curiosity, aiming to protect their privacy and well-being.
- Journalists covering war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and general-news should be mindful of the Geneva Convention's key principles, including humane treatment, personal autonomy, and the ban on public curiosity.
- The German Press Council's rebuke of six violations of duty in April, including unsubstantiated accusations and biased reporting, underscores the importance of journalistic responsibility and ethical standards.
- While Russia's speaking out against the publication of photos of North Korean prisoners of war may seemingly protect their privacy, it is also essential to consider the public's right to know about their condition and the implications of the conflict.
- In keeping with the Geneva Convention, the legislative and political bodies involved in Ukraine and Berlin should take measures to prohibit online media from publishing images that compromises the dignity and safety of war prisoners, including those from North Korea.
