| The Rules of Force II (Or how NOT to kill the messenger) 12-15-12 mpg Tweeters 'could be military targets' This is a supreme example of crap thinking by the moronic military mind. To quote..... "....if social media operators or users engage in the conflict by uploading, downloading, sharing, or otherwise adding to content in any way, they then become actors contributing to hostilities," Ms Diggins said."No. Wrong. Incorrect. -- They "become" witnesses to the activities and actions of the military during combat or commentators on such activities. They can film and record military activities. They can bear witness to such activities. They may be victims of such activities, and they can comment on such activities (with the restrictions shown below) They may be citizen journalists, commentators, bloggers, international observers, professional journalists or even war correspondents. Generally, according to the Geneva conventions, they are ALL supposed to be treated as non-combatant civilians in almost all cases. While physically on the scene during military activities they may not be armed or participate in or interfere with the military's actions in any way. They are not allowed to encourage, or discourage, the military's activities unless such actions are in conformance with international law or the Geneva conventions. In other words they could verbally discourage, instruct, caution or threaten with litigation, military personnel violating international treaties, codicils or resolutions, or who are engaged in torture or summary execution of civilians, torture or abuse against surrendered military personal, any form of collective punishment, or the use of force against prohibited targets, those under a flag of truce, properly designated medical personnel, journalists of any sort, etc. Obviously any person filming or reporting, while planning, encouraging or promoting acts that are violent in nature or acts which violate the rules of war, the Geneva conventions or international law may be subject to military justice, be considered as an enemy combatant, or perhaps even be classified as a terrorist. Also, obviously, any person reporting on military activity, not already publicly available, to specifically communicate on-going military dispositions or the location of military or civilian facilities for targeting by an opposition could be considered a legitimate military target. Persons who engage in such activity are commonly called spies or collaborators. There are some specific rules that give further protection to "professional" journalists or "wartime correspondents". See the articles shown below.....mpg |