This book builds on an existing body of research and on our experience of the role that media can play in peace building and provides a set of guidelines on the processes which make media interventions in a conflict effective and sustainable. An operational framework for utilising media in peacebuilding activities is tested on several projects worldwide.

The book illustrates best practices and lessons learned in media projects such as radio and televisions programming, training and transitional journalism development and intended outcome programming. A directory with 69 profiles of organisations working in this field worldwide is included as well as a selection of key literature and reports, websites and audio-visual productions.

Contents:
Introduction
Acknowledgements
Preface, John Marks

Part 2. Case Studies
Introduction
Afghanistan - Radio Soap Opera 'New Home, New Life'
Benin - Radio Netherlands Africa Office
Cambodia - Journalist' Training Project
Central Asia - Open Asia Television
Colombia - Media for Peace
DR Congo - Radio Okapi: Voice of Dialogue
Indonesia - Reporting for Peace training
Kenya - Gender and Conflict Media Projects
Macedonia - 'Nashe Maalo': Intended-Outcomes TV
Rwanda - Genocide on Trial: Arusha Video Project
Senegal - Radio Soap Opera for Peace
Sierra Leone - Talking Drum Studio

Part 3. Directory
Introduction
Armenia
Austria
Belgium
Canada
Colombia
Costa Rica
Czech Republic
Denmark
France
FR Yugoslavia/Kosovo
Germany
Ghana
Hungary
Indonesia
Kenya
Mexico
Mozambique
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
Nigeria
Norway
Pakistan
Peru
Philippines
Senegal
Singapore
South Africa
Switzerland
Uganda
UK
USA
Zambia

Annexes
1. Selection of Relevant Internet Resources
2. Selected bibliography
3. Selection of audio-visual, tv and radio productions

Visit The Power of the Media: A Handbook for Peacebuilders Website

Read full book online, FREE.

A publication of the European Centre for Conflict Prevention in cooperation with the European Centre for Common Ground and the Institute for Media, Policy and Civil Society (IMPACS)
Edited by Ross Howard, Francis Rolt, Hans van de Veen and Juliette Verhoeven

Published in June 2003, 246 Pages, Price € 15.

Introduction:

The media can play a critical role in exacerbating war or consolidating peace. In the former, the media can incite violence by propagandising and distributing misinformation or biased information. Or by covering up the truth media can also be complicit in hidden violence or atrocities that take place. In the latter, the media can be a powerful tool in peacebuilding and democratic development, by shining light on abuses; providing and sharing information; holding the powerful to account; and serving as an outlet for different opinions and perspectives.

Yet serious discussion in the West on the media and conflict resolution is usually hi-jacked by an emotional debate about the news media and objectivity. Many Western news journalists are angered by the suggestion that they have a responsibility beyond objective reporting, and seem to believe that the suggestion is a criticism of the ideal of objectivity. On the contrary, the classic news journalist's aspiration to objectivity is itself an important tool in conflict resolution. Without reliable news and information, people in conflict zones have to rely on rumour; and rumour invariably spreads the distrust and stereotyping which feed war.

Many journalists already debate the potential that the new, 'live from a conflict zone' reporting may feed a conflict, and the need for journalists to be aware of this potential. Despite this, there's a chasm in the debate. Media is much more than news and current affairs. Yet few individuals or organisations working in conflict zones have taken on board any of all the possible media interventions, apart from news and current affairs, which can have a positive impact on a conflict.

There are two reasons for this apparent blindness. In the international media environment, news and current affairs journalists are the ones who deal with conflict. The result is that news journalists feel that they are the only ones with a stake in the debate, and so dominate the discussion. Secondly, most NGOs and international organisations working in areas of conflict view the media as either a PR tool, or as a loudspeaker to announce disaster, claim support, and denounce evil. The next, essential step, that of creating and supporting positive media interventions in conflict is a long time coming. Such interventions will take the media and the agencies beyond news and current affairs (to say nothing of PR), and into the more complex areas of non-adversarial talk shows, programme or article exchange between zones of conflict, cartoons (enshrining or breaking down stereotypes of 'the other', the enemy), 'intended outcome' radio and TV dramas and soap operas, vox pops (giving a voice to the voiceless), comic books, theatre, music and song. Media is all these things, and more; drama, story, character and humour, these are what attract us as humans, regardless of whether we live in war-torn Africa, Western Europe or the US.

People in conflict zones, even refugees, continue to go about their usual lives, perhaps in a more circumscribed way, but they still listen to and make music, dance, laugh at cartoons and TV comedies, tell stories and exchange ideas with a neighbour. They form their own opinions by sifting carefully through all the information and opinion gathered from these different sources. Life doesn't begin and end with news and current affairs. In fact, in most conflict zones people quickly grow tired of political speeches, debates, and reports of more violence - the subject of the albeit very important current affairs programmes. Listeners tune out and lose hope, seeking solace in radio or TV drama and music programmes.  ...

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