KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Journalists assigned to cover the Canadian mission in Afghanistan will now have to wear dogtags just like the soldiers.

The Canadian military says the dogtags will help make identification easier if there are any fatalities among journalists while they are out with soldiers.

Journalists will also have to take a first-aid course and attend information sessions to make sure they understand the risks of what they are doing in the war-torn country.

The new requirements come after a Radio-Canada cameraman was seriously injured in a roadside bomb attack while travelling with Canadian soldiers last week.

That roadside bomb killed Master Warrant Officer Mario Mercier, 43, and Master Cpl. Christian Duchesne, 34, both of Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, in Que.

Brig.-Gen. Guy Laroche says the idea isn't to restrict journalists' movements but to make sure they understand what could happen.