Highlight 39/2023 – Beyond Borders: The Transformative Role of Peace Journalism in Conflict Management
Priyal Sethi, 20 December 2023
In the current complex world marred with different conflicts, the presence of an effective and democratic media is crucial for the transition to peace and stability. The United Nations Millennium Declaration in 2000 emphasized this need “to ensure the freedom of the media to perform their essential role and the right of the public to have access to information”. However, it is equally crucial to use this freedom responsibly and find a balance between preventing harm caused by speech and protecting individual rights, especially in conflict situations. This situation is precisely where the concept of peace journalism comes into play as a catalyst for understanding, reconciliation, and sustainable resolution.
Peace Journalism involves editors and reporters making deliberate choices, such as framing stories and selecting words carefully, to enhance the prospects for peace, fostering an atmosphere conducive to peace and supporting peace initiatives and peacemakers, all without compromising the fundamental principles of good journalism. One key aspect of peace journalism is its framing of news stories. Traditional reporting often sensationalizes conflict, emphasizing violence and animosity. In contrast, peace journalism consciously selects frames highlighting nonviolent responses, peace initiatives, and the human cost of conflict. It prioritizes the human dimension, aiming to bridge divides rather than perpetuate them. By framing narratives for understanding, peace journalism approaches activism, focusing engagement on peace efforts and the search for a nonviolent solution to conflict.
Traditional war reporting is often driven by entertainment and profit-driven motives and thus relies on the exaggeration of facts or the use of information at the expense of people directly involved in conflicts. Peace journalism, on the other hand, goes beyond the dichotomous nature of war. It recognizes that conflict is not a zero-sum game and produces a narrative shift from ‘us vs them’ to a more inclusive space by giving voice to grassroots movements, peacebuilding initiatives, and local perspectives. The empowerment of civil society becomes a pivotal part in conflict management, as it fosters a bottom-up approach to peace that involves communities and individuals directly affected.
A notable illustration of the efficacy of peace journalism is the ‘Aman ki Asha initiative,’ a collaborative effort by major media outlets in India (Times Group) and Pakistan (Jang Group). Aman ki Asha, meaning “Hope for Peace,” exemplifies how the media can transcend nationalistic narratives. By humanizing the « enemy » and displaying collaborative endeavors in arts, sports, and business, this initiative has contributed to a shift in public belief. Aman ki Asha is a testament to the transformative power of peace-oriented reporting in fostering cross-border understanding and conflict management.
In conclusion, within the realm of governance, advocacy for peace journalism is rooted in its emphasis on empathy, dialogue, and humanizing narratives and thus serves as an indispensable tool in effective conflict management. Peace journalism actively promotes constructive dialogue as a means of conflict resolution. By creating platforms for diverse voices and perspectives, it encourages a collective exploration of potential solutions. In this way, peace journalism contributes to breaking down communication barriers and building bridges between conflicting parties.
Priyal Sethi, Highlight 39/2023 – Beyond Borders: The Transformative Role of Peace Journalism in Conflict Management, 20 December 2023, available at www.meig.ch
The views expressed in the MEIG Highlights are personal to the authors and neither reflect the positions of the MEIG Programme nor those of the University of Geneva.