The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemned a US attack on a Baghdad hotel that killed one cameraman and wounded four correspondents as a possible war crime.
The Brussels-based lobby group also accused the Iraqi regime of using journalists and other civilians as "human shields" and demanded that both sides in the war be punished under international law.
"There is no doubt at all that these attacks could be targeting journalists. If so, they are grave and serious violations of international law," said IFJ general secretary Aidan White.
"The bombing of hotels where journalists are staying and targeting of Arab media are particularly shocking events in a war which is being fought in the name of democracy," he said.
"Those who are responsible must be brought to justice," he said.
"The Baghdad authorities are just as culpable with their reckless disregard for civilian lives," he said.
