DOD issues updated 'law of war' manual

The Defense Department today released an updated "law of war" manual, originally issued in June 2015, which contains additional guidance when dealing with journalists in a combat zone.

"The updated manual released today contains a substantial revision to the section on journalists as well as minor updates to other sections," a Pentagon statement reads, adding: "The journalism changes reflect input provided by the news media."

"After the manual's release last year, DOD lawyers heard concerns brought forward by media organizations and engaged in a productive, thoughtful dialogue with journalists that helped us improve the manual and communicate more clearly the department's support for the protection of journalists under the law of war," DOD General Counsel Jennifer O'Connor said in the statement. "The department's mission is to defend the very freedoms that journalists exercise. We have learned a lot during this process, and the department and the manual are better off for the experience."