Media in conflict prevention and peace building

1. Pc/2013/019

2.  Introduction
 Concept of media in conflict prevention and peace
building
 Peace building process
 Function of Media in conflict prevention and peace
building
 Practically media can prevent conflict and build
peace
 Challenges of media in conflict prevention and
peace building
 Conclusion

3.  The field of conflict prevention and peace-building has done
little to lay out our specific products within different
frameworks. Usually, discussions of using the media aim for
some general goal to 'promote peace.' Peace itself is not
really a product. It is an idea, but does not necessarily
suggest automatically some new specific behavior that the
public should adopt. The first step in assessing the wisdom
of using the media for conflict prevention and peace-building
in a region is to determine the specific goals of local conflict
prevention and peace-building experts that can be 'packaged'
as tangible and realistic products to sell. Violence polarizes
people (pitting some groups against other groups of people).
Peace-building seeks to build a bridge between groups of
people -de-polarizing people's attitudes and behaviors
toward each other.

4. What is media
‘’ Several mediums or channels used in an
organized fashion to communicate information to
groups of people as a service to the public.’’
- Howard
2002-
Peace building
‘’ Peace building attempt to encourage development
of structural conditions, attitudes, band modes of political
behavior that may permit
Peaceful, stable and ultimately prosperous social and
economic development.’’

5.  Immediacy
Specific actions and events
 Drama
Violence, crisis or conflict ,Extremist behaviors
Outrageous acts
 Simplicity
Clear cut opinions, images, major personalities, two-
sided conflicts
 Ethnocentrism
Our beliefs, myths and symbols Our suffering
Hitler used the media to create entire worldview of
hatred for Jews, homosexuals, other minority
groups.

7.  Provide security
 Establish the socio economic foundation of long
term peace
 Establish political frame work of long term peace
 Generate reconciliation, a healing of the wounds
of war and justice
 Change unjust structure
 Transform the way of living
 Heal their relationship
 Crete a space for mutual trust respect and
interdependence

10.  Media as information provider and interpreter
The media interpret events beyond, our physical realm
and help us make sense of them. ( ex: Otpor movement in 1998)
 Media as watchdog
Third party watchdog provide feedback to public and
local problems. Media can bring hidden stories out in to the public.
 Media as a policymaker
Media has influence on policymakers,particulrly as they
think about how to prevent and respond to violent conflict (ex:
CNN has taken over policymaking at least in humanitarian disaster
situation.)
 Media as a diplomat
Media may help to create bridges among enemies and
build confidence needed to open negotiation

11.  Media as a peace promotor
Media events can be used at the beginning of negoitiation
to build confidence,facilitate negotitaions or break diplomatic
deadblocks to create a climate conducive to negotiation.
 Media as a bridge builder
Promote positive relationship between groups
Showing the other in similar light to self (ex: Iraqi news
media that emphasize how both Shia and Sunni suffer from
violence help build a bridge of common empathy

12.  Radio for peace building Africa (RFPA) is
programme founded in 2003 by the international
non profit organization search for common
ground (Burundi,Central African Republic, Kenya)
Example : organized 90 work shops
 Bosmia, Burundhi,Israel/Plaestine and Rwanda
there are documented positive accomplishment of
initiate project of post conflict recovery through
the role of the media

13.  Link between media freedom and human
rights
 Fragile democracies
 Politics
 Poverty
 Ethnic differences

14. The media’s role in contributing to cognitive,
attitudinal and behavioral change on a large scale is
unique. Conflict prevention and peace building
professionals cause the media in harmony with their
other programs – if they know when, why, and how
to use the media for the most strategic impact in
lessoning the polarization between groups. On the
other hand, media professionals still have much to
learn about why and when their work can contribute
to preventing violent conflict and building peace
between groups. The media a interest in the
dynamics of conflict.