Guest Column
9 Key Principles for Reporting on War and Conflict — And How to Tackle Misinformation
Tapas Sengupta
Bureau Chief, News Nation
Pexels
Reporting from war zones is one of journalism’s most challenging responsibilities. A journalist's work during conflict not only informs the public but also influences national sentiment and international policy. Yet, in times of war, truth is often the first casualty. The modern battlefield extends beyond gunfire — it includes digital manipulation, psychological warfare, and strategic propaganda.
Drawing from first-hand reporting experience across the Line of Control, Line of Actual Control, Siachen Glacier, and various border regions, here are nine essential lessons for journalists covering war and conflict. These principles are grounded in both field experience and formal training — including the Ministry of Defence’s prestigious Defence Correspondents Course, which equips journalists with vital military insight.
1. Prepare Before You Report: Study the Conflict
War reporting begins long before you enter a conflict zone. Understanding the political, military, and historical context is essential to avoid biased or shallow coverage. Journalists should invest time in studying:
• The origins of the conflict and its stakeholders
• The military’s rank structure and command hierarchy
• Theatre-specific strategies and geopolitical implications
A surface-level understanding risks misreporting or falling into propaganda traps. Credible war reporting requires an in-depth grasp of both the battlefield and the boardroom
2. Do Not Influence or Intervene in Conflict Situations
Journalists must maintain strict neutrality. Reporting from a warzone demands the discipline to observe without influencing events. That means:
• Never take sides or offer solutions
• Avoid becoming emotionally entangled with the people or cause
• Intervene only if a life is in imminent danger and you’re the only one who can help
Even a well-meaning action can be misinterpreted, with dangerous consequences for both the journalist and the people involved.
3. Know When to Retreat
Understanding your limits can be lifesaving. Escalating violence or unexpected troop movement is a clear signal to exit. As a journalist, your primary responsibility is to return safely with the story — not to become part of it.
Carry a basic survival kit, trauma supplies, offline maps, and secure communication tools. Always establish an emergency extraction plan.
4. Protect Your Physical, Mental, and Digital Well-being
Physical Safety: Always wear protective gear (ballistic helmet, flak jacket) and carry press identification. Do not disclose your live location in conflict areas.
Mental Health: Exposure to death, destruction, and trauma can leave lasting scars. Recognize symptoms of PTSD, burnout, and survivor's guilt. Seek help early.
Digital Security: Use encrypted communication (Signal, ProtonMail), disable geotagging, and keep minimal sensitive data on your devices. Prepare for blackout zones with alternate power sources and backup storage.
5. Learn from Defence Training: The Defence Correspondents Course
War reporters covering military operations should pursue formal education in defense reporting. The Ministry of Defence, Government of India, conducts a month-long Defence Correspondents Course — a comprehensive programme that familiarizes journalists with the operations of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
As a qualified Defence Correspondent, I underwent the Navy leg at the Southern Naval Command (Kochi), the Air Force leg in Pathankot (Punjab), and the Army leg in Rajouri and Poonch on the Line of Control.
Participants are exposed to field operations, technical briefings, command structures, and inter-service coordination. A guiding principle we were taught:
“What you see is not always meant to be reported”
Disclosing certain operational details can compromise national security and endanger lives. This lesson has since guided my reporting from sensitive locations like Siachen, the LAC (Line of Actual Control), LOC (Line of Control) and the IB (International Border).
6. Beware of Military Terminology and Narratives
Journalists embedded with security forces or attending government briefings can inadvertently adopt sanitized terms such as “surgical strike,” “neutralised,” or “collateral damage, KIA (Killed In Action), MIA (Missing in Action), Ambush, Cover etc.”
Always ask:
• Who created this language?
• Whose interest does it serve?
• What does it obscure?
Your job isn’t just to report what is said — it’s to interpret what it means, what’s left out, and who’s affected. Avoid repeating unverified official claims, especially in the fog of war.
7. Combat Fake News and Information Warfare
Misinformation is a strategic weapon in modern conflict. False videos, AI-generated audio clips, and manipulated maps are often circulated to mislead the public and shape opinion.
Tools for Verifying Content:
• Reverse Image Search (Google, TinEye) to trace media origins
• InVid/WeVerify for video metadata analysis
• Metadata
• PIB Fact Check, AltNews, and BoomLive for fact-checking Indian claims
• Check timestamps, weather, shadows, and license plates for inconsistencies
• Watch for telltale signs of deepfakes — robotic voice tones, blurred backgrounds, or mismatched lip-sync
• Cross-reference multiple sources before trusting sensational claims.
• Check timestamps, URLs, and the source’s credibility.
• Be wary of emotionally manipulative language and AI-generated content.
• Use lateral reading – open new tabs and verify context and origin.
Real-World Case:
During Operation Sindoor, multiple unverifiable visuals were shared across platforms. Some videos claimed to show the Indian Navy attacking Karachi Port — but were later debunked as clips from unrelated Western military operations. The Indian Navy never verified these visuals, and PIB Fact Check clarified the truth. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s ISPR also pushed old visuals to claim damage — a classic IW tactic.
Avoid amplifying unverified content. Flag it. Label it. Or better, don’t share it at all.
8. Handle Casualty Reports and Breaking News with Care
When it comes to fatalities, injuries, or destruction, facts evolve rapidly. Never rush to publish numbers unless verified by official sources. Always qualify with:
“The situation is still developing. Details will be confirmed once official updates are available.”
Speculating or rushing to be first can amplify panic, stoke communal tensions, or create diplomatic consequences.
9. Work With Local Experts — But Ensure Their Safety
Fixers, local journalists, translators, and community leaders offer essential on-ground knowledge. They help you understand nuances that outsiders may miss. However, their safety is your responsibility too.
Avoid sharing their names, photos, or locations publicly. A single image on social media can put their life in danger.
Empower Your Audience to Fight Misinformation
Journalists must not only report responsibly — they should encourage media literacy. Teach your audience to:
• Pause before sharing dramatic visuals
• Verify sources
• Report fake content to fact-checking bodies
• Be skeptical of anonymous forwards and audio clips
Correct misinformation with empathy, not aggression. Misinformation spreads through fear; truth spreads through trust.
Conclusion from Experience
Covering war is not just about proximity to the frontline — it’s about responsibility. The war journalist is not merely a reporter, but a witness to history, often standing between truth and manipulation.
In an era of drone strikes and deepfakes, it’s not enough to be fast — you must be factual, fair, and fearless. Prepare rigorously, verify relentlessly, and never forget:
Reporting from a warzone means walking the line between duty and danger — but it begins with knowledge, not bravado.
Remember : “Our job is to report the facts as we find them, not as we wish them to be.” - Martha Gellhorn, legendary war correspondent
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