Presentation in the panel on The Challenges of War Reporting on April 30, 2009, sponsored by Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International at George Washington University.

1. Covering border conflicts
 Reporters Without Borders -- Amnesty International at GWU
 Washington DC, April 30, 2009 -- Jorge Luis Sierra

4. Covering border conflicts
Armed conflicts
Urban environment
Weaponry
Military type of combat

5. Covering border conflicts
Armed conflicts
 Among drug trafficking organizations
(DTOs)
 DTOs against governmental forces

6. Covering border conflicts
Urban environment
 Clashes in densely populated areas
 Command and control and operations at
both sides of the border

7. Covering border conflicts
Weaponry
 Automatic rifles
 Rocket propelled grenades
 Five-seven and Project 90 guns
 Sniper rifles 50 mm
 Hand grenades and mortars

9. Covering border conflicts
Military type of combat
 About 200,000 DTO members have
military background and training
 Psychological warfare
 Checkpoints (military and criminal)
 Military intelligence

11. Challenges for reporters
 Lack of training
 Lack of networks of support
 High level of impunity
 No adequate legal systems
 All sides trying to use them

12. Challenges for reporters
 Few reliable sources
 Environment of fear and corruption
 Drug traffickers and government trying to
control newspapers and media outlets

13.  Photos: reforma.com and gao.gov
 jlsierra@hotmail.com