OPINION: ICJ GENOCIDE CASE PROVIDES IMPORTANT LESSONS IN BOTH LAW AND JOURNALISM
relevance and stature, and it stands to provide precedence for international law, and hence we need to pay heed, particularly as journalists. The idea and ideal of the reporting of facts and their counter arguments stand at the centre of journalism and its claim to represent the truth. In this case, we are even going beyond the idea of presenting or representing the truth, as the coverage of war and conflict is considered a litmus test for journalism, testing its ability to abide by ethical codes of conduct. Here, we have an international humanitarian case argued by both the applicant and the respondent on grounds that draw on the law and application of the law, while at the same time doing so in a highly emotional and sensor-filled environment. For the applicant, this is done with the ultimate end to stop the Israeli war on Gaza, by the applicant labelled as genocide, and in the process change international human rights law. The way that this has been done is a journalist’s dream. We have been presented with the released submission to the court, later argued in front of the ICJ, with the respondent given equal opportunity to present counter arguments. The THE SOUTH AFRICAN CASE OF GENOCIDE BROUGHT AGAINST THE STATE OF ISRAEL AT THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ) IS ONE THAT STANDS TO SET PRECEDENCE WAY BEYOND INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW INDEPENDENT OF THE RULING.
Judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), prior to the hearing of the genocide case against Israel brought by South Africa, in The Hauge, The Netherlands, on 11 January, 2024. According to the South Africans, Israel is currently committing genocidal acts against Palestinians in the Gaza strip.
Ylva Rodny-Gumede is a Professor and Senior Director: Division for Internationalisation at UJ. She recently published an opinion article that first appeared in the Mail & Guardian on 13 January 2024: The South African case of genocide brought against the state of Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is one that stands to set precedence way beyond international humanitarian law independent of the ruling. As a journalist, and one who has covered international conflicts and disputes (the latter marking the daily schedule of the ICJ), I see a precedent set that provides learning for journalists and impetus for change for reporting and the training of journalists in fundamental ways. Primary and central to this is the role of court reporting. Court reporting constitutes the basics of reporting and is an unrivalled training ground for journalists. The idea of reporting basic facts, and the who, where, what, when and why and, importantly, how, meaning by what means and with what intention events are or have taken place, provides the basic elements of any news story and any justification of such. In this instance, the case is of international
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