Bring together three experts one in politics and international relations, another in the media and the third in international law and what you get is a stimulating discussion on how war crimes are investigated in the social media age.
The University of Tasmania Cradle Coast campus is playing host to the discussion on July 28, with Emergency Management lecturer Dr Darryl Stellmach chairing the conversation.
Dr Stellmach has two decades of experience working with complex emergency situations including natural disasters and armed conflicts before moving into academia.
He said the discussion, which will bring together the University’s Head of Media Professor Alana Mann, Head of Politics and International Relations Dr Matt Killingsworth and International Law Professor Tim McCormack, would uncover the challenges and opportunities new media presents to those who investigate wartime atrocities.
“There is some real complexity to the whole subject of war and how the war time actors are held to account for their actions,” Dr Stellmach said.
“Add to that the modern-day propaganda war and the independent investigations going on by concerned citizens, it brings into question the documentation of evidence, possible fabrication of evidence, and how it all fits into producing the proof needed for prosecution.”
Dr Killingsworth said the conflict in the Ukraine had created intense public discussion and an uprising in interest in the authority of the International Criminal Court.
“There’s been this incredible rush of international criminal law into Ukraine and the rush to find a way to prosecute Russia for the crime of aggression,” he said.
“I can’t think of any other crises, certainly not Syria or Myanmar, where there has been a rush to find avenues and forum and media for legal prosecution for a variety of acts deemed by western media as criminal during this war.”
Professor Mann said the real time reporting of the war through phone camera footage, on the spot from citizens, has played a big role in what is seen by people in Australia on the news every night.
“There’s been a flurry of citizen journalism and while it has liberating potential, there is also the potential for misinformation,” she said.
“But the real question is how are these social media platforms and this technology that we all have in our hands contributing to understanding what’s happening in these conflicts, and then can they be used to seek justice?”
Professor Tim McCormack said investigations conducted by the International Criminal Court were incredibly complex.
“During conflicts from the past two decades we’ve seen dearth of reporting from the western media compared to the degree that we’re seeing coming out of the Ukraine right now,” he said.
“Whether or not the relationship between the International Criminal Court and the Ukraine as a signatory to the Rome Statute is playing a part in that activity is interesting.
“As will be the significance it takes on when it comes to the pursuit of those deemed responsible for criminal acts against humanity and crimes of war.”
The University of Tasmania’s Island of Ideas session, Investigating War Crimes in the Age of Social Media, will be hosted at the Cradle Coast campus on Thursday, July 28, starting at 6pm. Tickets are free and can be booked at https://bit.ly/3yL0dxg. Those who are unable to attend can also register to take part online using the same link.
IMAGE: University of Tasmania Emergency Management lecturer Dr Darryl Stellmach will host the Island of Ideas forum Investigating War Crimes in the Age of Social Media on July 28.