IHL Team 3: The Humanitarian Herald

In March 2026, Human Rights Watch called out the US, Israel, and Iran for rhetoric that contradicts international humanitarian law. A school was bombed in Iran. 338 aid workers were attacked in 2024 alone. Arisha, our data actuary, breaks down what is happening right now and what IHL says about it.

Before you can advocate, you have to understand the framework. Arisha walks through what international humanitarian law is, where it comes from, the four principles by which every conflict is measured, and what happens when those rules are broken.

In this episode with our project manager, Arusha Virani, we talk about how to tell if a source is accurate in today’s world full of information. With so many websites, social media posts, and articles online, it can be hard to know what to trust. This segment breaks it down into simple steps, like checking the author, looking at the date, finding evidence, and noticing bias. We also share real-life examples to show how misinformation can spread and how to avoid it. By the end, listeners will have easy tools they can use to decide if a source is reliable and feel more confident when reading or sharing information.

In this episode of the Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Team 3 Podcast, Jiya Joshi, Team 3 Vice, explores when—if ever—journalists and media organizations can legally be targeted during armed conflict. Using guidance from the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Customary IHL Database, and Article 79 of Additional Protocol I, we examine the legal protections for journalists and debate how modern media and real-time reporting challenge the laws of war. 

In this episode, Fayrouz Elgalad, a project manager with the Red Cross Club, explores the dangers journalists face in armed conflicts and why protecting them is essential. Through the lens of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), this episode explains how journalists are meant to be protected as civilians and highlights real-world examples where those protections have been challenged. It also discusses practical ways individuals can advocate for stronger protections, raise awareness, and support organizations working to defend press freedom. This episode emphasizes the importance of journalism in exposing the truth and why safeguarding those who report from conflict zones matters now more than ever.

Join IHL Team 3 Vice Jiya Joshi in discovering how a shocking battlefield in 1859 inspired the creation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, one of the world’s largest humanitarian networks. In this episode, we explore the history, mission, and Seven Fundamental Principles that guide the Red Cross’s work to reduce suffering during war, disasters, and global crises.

In a world where information spreads instantly, youth play a key role in shaping how conflicts are understood. In this episode, Tech Specialist Harshitha Bhogavalli explores how journalism, misinformation, and awareness intersect during armed conflict. Learn how young voices can help protect truth and promote responsible storytelling.

In our very first episode, Team Lead Ayush Sharma and the full crew of IHL Team 3 introduce themselves, share how they found each other at Stephen F. Austin High School, and explain why International Humanitarian Law matters more today than ever. From recruitment stories to a heartfelt breakdown of what IHL actually is, this episode is your warm welcome into the Humanitarian Herald community. Whether you're a fellow student, a Red Cross advocate, or just someone curious about the laws that protect people in conflict, this one's for you.