Journalistic Material as a Tool for Advocating Military Accountability

Abstract

Introduction. Documenting war crimes and other violations of international humanitarian law is key to ensuring justice and holding perpetrators accountable. In the context of modern armed conflicts, journalism increasingly serves not only to inform, but also to record violations, making journalistic materials an important tool for advocating justice.

Relevance and purpose of the study. The study aims to determine how journalistic materials can be an effective tool for advocating justice and ensuring accountability for war crimes.

The purpose of the article is to analyze the role of journalism in identifying, documenting, and exposing violations of international humanitarian law, as well as to determine the possibilities and limitations of using such materials in international and national court proceedings.

Research methodology. The study uses an interdisciplinary approach that combines content analysis of journalistic materials, comparative legal analysis of examples of the use of journalistic investigations in international and national court proceedings, and analysis of regulatory acts and international standards.

Results. The study identified the main types of journalistic materials, including investigations using open sources, photo and video recordings, documentary evidence, and analytical publications highlighting human rights violations during international conflicts. Key ways of using such materials as an advocacy tool aimed at mobilizing the attention of the international community, forming public pressure, and initiating legal proceedings were identified. Practical examples were analyzed, including investigations into events in Bucha, Ukraine in general, the use of materials from Bellingcat and other journalistic initiatives that influenced investigations and court decisions. The possibilities of using journalistic materials as evidence in international and national court proceedings have been established, along with the disclosure of the legal, procedural, and ethical limitations of such use.

Conclusions. Journalistic materials have significant potential for documenting and investigating war crimes, serving as an advocacy tool and a means of mobilizing the public. However, their evidentiary value in court proceedings is limited by the need for rigorous verification and compliance with procedural standards and legal norms.