Approaches to post conflict reporting. Journalism practice
Journalism has a responsibility to nurture peace and media can positively influence reconciliation. But in domestic news the voices of victims have been often distinctly absent, and the majority of coverage involves official sources.
This manual explores an alternative, innovative approach to the retelling of the stories and opinions of 'others' and to post-conflict reporting.
This manual explores an alternative, innovative approach to the retelling of the stories and opinions of 'others' and to post-conflict reporting.
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Chapter XX
To report or not to report? And if yes - then how?
Understanding media’s role in shaping societies’ perception of reality, and reporters’ responsibility for future developments
Background:
People A and people B for centuries live together in a small mountainous country. During last years tensions between two communities increase mostly because of insufficiency of such recourses as arable lands and access to drinkable water. Unemployment rate among youth of both communities is extremely high.
Several clashes between representatives of two communities already have taken place in the streets of the capital city. Afterwards, the events keep developing, incidents occur one after another. And you are covering them as a journalist for the local radio station.
Several clashes between representatives of two communities already have taken place in the streets of the capital city. Afterwards, the events keep developing, incidents occur one after another. And you are covering them as a journalist for the local radio station.
Incident 1:
At the huge mass-meeting the leader of community A proclaimed that “everybody who belongs to community B is “parasite”.
At the huge mass-meeting the leader of community A proclaimed that “everybody who belongs to community B is “parasite”.
No, I won't report it, at least right away
Explain the reasons and your possible next steps
Yes, I will report it immediately, with audio confirmation
Explain the reasons and your possible next steps
Yes, I will report it, but mildly, in my own words and without airing the voice
Explain the reasons and your possible next steps
Joint discussion facilitated by a trainer on the ways to report the incident and the context, as well as on the possible negative and positive outcomes following each of the decisions.
Incident 2:
At the cabinet meeting, one of the ministers, ethnic B, called the queen who ruled the country in XIV century and is still deeply respected by members of community A, “a whore”.
At the cabinet meeting, one of the ministers, ethnic B, called the queen who ruled the country in XIV century and is still deeply respected by members of community A, “a whore”.
No, I won't report it, at least right away
Explain the reasons and your possible next steps
Yes, I will report it immediately, with audio confirmation
Explain the reasons and your possible next steps
Yes, I will report it, but mildly, in my own words and without airing the voice
Explain the reasons and your possible next steps
Joint discussion facilitated by a trainer on the ways to report the incident and the context, as well as on the possible negative and positive outcomes following each of the decisions.
Incident 3:
The leader of community B made a speech at the massive rally, and urged his community to “once and for all finish with the problem of community A”.
The leader of community B made a speech at the massive rally, and urged his community to “once and for all finish with the problem of community A”.
No, I won't report it, at least right away
Explain the reasons and your possible next steps
Yes, I will report it immediately, with audio confirmation
Explain the reasons and your possible next steps
Yes, I will report it, but mildly, in my own words and without airing the voice
Explain the reasons and your possible next steps
Joint discussion facilitated by a trainer on the ways to report the incident and the context, as well as on the possible negative and positive outcomes following each of the decisions.
