Pentagon to No Longer Label Independent Journalists as Spies

The Pentagon removed from its manual threat of punishment for independent journalists who cover hostilities from both sides of the conflict line.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Pentagon revised its Law of War manual on Friday to remove threat of punishment for independent journalists who cover hostilities from both sides of the conflict line.

The update came a year after the US military faced a barrage of criticism from press organizations for labelling journalists as potential spies and saboteurs, in its first ever legal handbook released for personnel last June.

"The changes to the manual reflect the department’s concerted effort to address those concerns and clarify specific language," Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a statement.

The Department of Defense said changes had been made to enhance protections of journalists under the law of war. The update is based on input from news media.

The Committee to Protect Journalists, a US nonprofit that advocated the review, said the revised edition allowed journalists to contact enemy forces for journalistic purposes and shifted responsibility for distinguishing between a reporter and a combatant to commanders.

"In general, journalists are protected as civilians, i.e., engaging in journalism does not constitute taking a direct part in hostilities such that such a person would be deprived of protection from being made the object of attack," the text read.

The Pentagon also removed a passage on journalism and spying, which gave the military permission to capture and punish journalists for alleged spying.