Just click below to get the readings, assignments, and discussion questions for each week. Assignments will be posted each week on the days listed below.
NEW:
Click here for Week 8 assignment (reportage style audio story) and discussion question
CLICK HERE to get more details and your assignments for Week Seven
Course timetable:
Week 1 Sep 19; Week 2 Sep 26; Week 3 Oct 3; Week 4 Oct 10; Week 5 Oct 17; Week 6 Oct 24;
Week 7 Oct 31; Final project due Nov. 13
Learning objectives:
- You will demonstrate an understanding of the principles and ethics of accepted journalistic practice, and how those principles form the foundation of peace journalism. This will be done through papers, blogs, and podcasts.
- You will summarize the principles and ethics of peace journalism, and analyze how those principles and ethics apply both in the
U.S. - You will analyze and discuss how the role of journalism in different social, economic, cultural, ethical, and governmental systems in East Africa affects the prospects for peace.
- You will analyze your own work, and the work of other journalists, using a rubric of your own creation, for the elements of peace journalism.
- You will recognize, discuss, and evaluate the interdependent role of development and developmental journalism vis-à-vis peace journalism.
- You will collect journalistically sound research and utilize it to produce professional quality stories, broadcasts, blogs, and other multimedia materials that conform to the standards of peace and development journalism.
Course schedule:
Week 1--
Theory of Peace Journalism
--Due: 1-2 page handout summarizing PJ
Theory of Peace Journalism
--Due: 1-2 page handout summarizing PJ
Week 2--
PJ theory pro and con
--Due: 3 page paper--reaction to Youngblood book chapter
--Due: 3 page paper--reaction to Youngblood book chapter
Week 3--
Content analysis
--Due: Examples of local content; analysis of photojournalism using rubric
--Due: Examples of local content; analysis of photojournalism using rubric
Week 4--
PJ in the News
--Due: Analysis of Walk to Work using PJ perspective
--Due: Analysis of Walk to Work using PJ perspective
Week 5--
PJ Case Studies--Uganda project, Macedonia
--Due: Reaction/analysis paper
Week 6--
PJ Case Studies II--Nigeria; Also, Teaching PJ
Week 7--
Week 8--
PJ Story due
Critique, wrap
Click here for Week 8 assignment (reportage style audio story) and discussion question
Critique, wrap
Click here for Week 8 assignment (reportage style audio story) and discussion question
Kara Gilbert Amacha
ReplyDeleteRock Mambo Fm
Tororo.
I do agree with your statements in analyzing the Norway situation and most particularly when you mentioned the challenge to practice PJ principles in times of violence and crisis. This has always been a challenge to most journalists who believe that by reporting about violent scenes makes the news forgetting they are not supposed to rush to judgment by presenting their personal views.
Just like you commented about the statement ‘Reports say the youth camp shooter was a conservative Christian’ here surely there is need to be very careful otherwise one could possibly report implicating all conservative Christians creating a conflict, so balancing of the coverage should be observed.
I therefore agree with your statements.
By Jmaes Omara Elem Lira
ReplyDeleteMost reporters do think that big news are controversial news, yes when well handled they become big news when all parties are given opportunities to be heard and fair languages are used to both side and some times reporters do forget that they judge and begin to nick name some one like murderer, thief, rapist, killer etc making one side look dirty hence giving flat foam to readers and listeners to have bias mind toward one side.
We should try as much as possible to be fair to all; now going back to the courage was full of emotions, discriminations and bitter statements which may results to another war or even genocide because of the negligent of some reporters and editors.
The journalist was more focus on destructive actions and future threat of insurgent terrorism, rather than on its grievances or even the social conditions that breed it. Peace Journalism teaches that a failure to examine the underlying causes of violence creates an atmosphere where violence tends to repeat itself.
When media don’t provide complete, accurate information delivered with a dose of anti-government skepticism, they become little more than government propagandists, imagine a journalist writing that the youth camp shooter was a conservative Christian pointing at all conservative Christians as shooter.
Peace journalists should thoughtfully analyze the violent incidents, carefully taking into consideration the consequences of their reporting on society.
Therefore I strongly agree with Youngblood analysis of the Norway situation especially how professional journalist behaved by acting like government propagandist forgetting totally principals of peace journalism.
Peace journalism principals should be embraced by every body especially we journalist because we must be responsible in our reporting and to people we report about and people we report to.
ALISON AKATUKWASA-
ReplyDeleteHUNTER RADIO BUSHENYI
On the story of media frenzy encouraging mob justice, i want us to be realistic on this one first of all, we should know that people are human and no one is righteous. There is no need to condemn Grace for what she did. She was only overpowered by her emotions. Anybody can make such a mistake but otherwise it teaches us a lesson of controlling our emotions.
Odongkara Feslad Charles
ReplyDelete100.7 POL FM – Kitgum
September 11th marks the day when terrorist said to be Al-Qaeda group and Islamic by faith led by the Late Osama Bin Laden claimed to have made serious atrocity by planning suicide bombing of the Twin Tower and Pentagon in USA in 2001. More than 3000 people said to have lost their lives. Osama Bin Laden who was the leader of Al-Qaeda was claimed to have been killed by the American Commandos earlier this year. However, the report was not clear to most of the world because people were saying if at all they (US) have killed the Osama they should have shown the body to the public but was no any video broadcast to telecast it out to the world for people to believe that what the US is saying is true. The reason for bombing the US is not clearly known to me, but some people were saying that Osama did this because he was trained in USA by the US Army and there was some promise made to him by the US Army for his successful work with them (The US Army), but later the US did not fulfill their promise to Osama and this prompted Bin Laden to plan this attack. From other hand some people were saying Islam are saying that the issue of America said to be the Super Power is not for them (Islam) but for Christian only, so also wanted to show to the world that they are more dangerous and can do more harm if provoked.
However, some scholars say September 11th is not an attack in relation to its legal aspect of it because for an act/confrontation/event to qualify be an attack, it must have been committed/done by the State(s) against the other but not a person or persons who are not acting on behalf of any nation. If they are acting on behalf of a nation or nations then it will qualify. That is from the legal perspective, but for us who are not practicing the law or legal view we are say September 11th is an attack.
In reporting the September 11th event Peace Journalism was not practiced by the various media houses because most of the stories concentrated in reporting the atrocities made and the language used also, for instance “attack”, “more 3000 people died”, “American ready to respond”, these are some of the languages used in reporting so it made it more of war journalistic reporting in nature than peace journalist.
Mujungu Betty
ReplyDeleteLife Fm Radio
Fortportal
commenting on Peace Journalism and the apocalypse.
Well i agree with Youngblood that Peace journalism is imbedded in the fundamentals of good journalism, beginning with double checking and verifying what is published though i don't believe that since we can't verify hallucinations of an attention seeker, we should not give them publicity.
I imagine if this Pastors story was not given publicity and then truly the world comes to an End, what would that look like. some times i think when people like these are given publicity and later on what they say does not come to pass, it makes the public understand and know that false or people of that nature also exist and therefore helps the public to get rid or avoid their company.
For example, if there comes a Violent lunatic in Fort portal town here and may be in 3days he rapes 4 women or even destroys people's property and hides in that police can’t find him, will i be wrong if i publish or run this on radio? I think no simply because i will be helping the public to keep vigilant and protect them selves. I publish this not because I want to give him as a person publicity, but i will have done it simply because am helping the public to be vigilant prepared.
personally i got to know about that Pastor's world ending message , though Youngblood calls it hallucinations, but i definitely had in my mind that that cant be true, but i waited to see will the world truly come to an end on that day? And when the world did not end that day, it helped me know that not all that say God are Godly and taught me to be so careful with up coming doctrines. Had i not had the chance to know about this pastor's message through media, then i would have missed the lessons i got out of this whole world ending thing.
Conclusively i think the so called lunatics' rantings should be given publicity to some small extent because you never know it could save or help some one if not all of us.
Ojok Emmanuel
ReplyDeleteIn Norway the killing of at least 94 people in that remote farm, home of the suspect behind that indiscriminate killing, was unjustifiable. That tragedy was uncalled for and I think it raised a lot of questions on several issues. First of all, whether people think that terror attacks are only attached to Muslim deeds of not. Anyone can be a terrorist. With such incidents happening, I feel PJ has a lot to do and probably that’s why critics keep coming on board.
Who would think Anders Breivik, the suspect behind the terrorist attack on July 22, 2011, could achieve the mission unless he had a syndicate of bad guys in the move? And how would PJ be helpful in averting such a tragedy? Many questions can be asked, like, who new that the World Trade Centre and other places in the US would be reduced to ash by suspected terrorist actions? The world we are living in is becoming complicated and that’s why I think PJ has a role to play.
Now, about PJ and the apocalypse, PJ being embedded in fundamentals of Good Journalism does not condone and take rumors seriously unless verified and the facts got well. Steve, I do agree with you about the impact of the apocalypse. I don’t think spreading rumors on a story about how the world is ending in the next few hours can be helpful, especially where false prophets have openly confused the Wanainchis (local residents). Just imagine the feeling of hopelessness in the mind of an already frustrated citizen, after being convinced about apocalypse. Yes, talking and about apocalypse can be Big News, but how a P. Journalist reports about it matters, other than the sheer reporting that, the world ends soon! What was the impact of the self proclaimed Joseph Kibwetere in Kanungu Western Uganda, after prophesizing about the Dooms Day, is a typical example of apocalypse. Many followers of that cult died. What was the role of Media that time?
As PJ we have a big role to play, and that’s why we ought to always apply PJ together with Good Journalism Principles.
I agree that Reporters and Editors should always consider the consequences of their reporting. PJ and Apocalypse is a big discussion, I hope more guys join the debate.
Julius Kyamanywa
ReplyDeleteBBS Radio – Masindi
Peace Journalism is the making of choices by reporters and editors that are aimed at reducing or even averting violence. It means making choices to publish or broadcast what is aimed at creating peace in an environment characterized by violence.
Peace Journalism is a compliment to the general journalistic ethical provisions of accuracy, objectivity, balance or fairness among others. Peace journalism adds a few flavors to the general journalistic ethical standards. It calls for reporting or broadcasting in a way that is geared towards creating peace out of a conflict.
Peace Journalism is common and helpful to my journalism work. It's hard to tell its visibility especially for those, like the public who do not fully understand the concept of peace journalism. If society is to understand peace journalism, then they will after realizing the fruits.
It is also hard to tell if the principles of peace journalism are not fully embraced by the ownership and top management of a particular media house like it is for most of our Ugandan based local radio stations. Most radio owners do mind about the profits that accrue to them ad nothing else. They pay little or no attention to the journalism work. Few of the radio owners are willing to listen to the technical advice from their staff.
I do take caution when selecting words to use on a radio show. Words like the “Northerners” or “Easteners” to refer to people from Northern and Eastern Uganda respectively are now uncommon to me personally and my close workmates. Avoidance of such words that would otherwise create an impression of segregation helps create harmony and peace as well. This basically helps since earlier it used to create mental disharmony since people in Northern Uganda thought undermined because the station is owned by one from the West. Additionally, the power of media at tomes could make it possible for society to be swayed away to behave like the radio workers. They would resort to referring to these people like radio people refer to them.
Peace Journalism has aided me in looking out for solutions, not just solutions but long term solutions to societal problems or concerns. It has taught me to avoid explaining problems to my listeners and just putting emphasis on them and their causes but focus so much on the available solutions society can explore to cure the problems peacefully. For example the food crisis that has hit most districts of Uganda in the past months, the high inflation rates and the high prices of commodities all require due attention. I discussed all the above in a way that emphasized and called on society to look for solutions looking at government and society itself. This, I believe has helped to create a sense of responsibility within society in a way creating harmony.
Peace Journalism aids me in choosing issues or topics for discussion on radio. I do, these days confine myself to people-oriented sourcing. Most of the topics I discuss do originate from the society members. This has helped me give most of my discussions the view of the common man. Even in cases where the discussion issue national in outlook, it gives me the challenge to localize it and make it relevant to my local listeners. This helps the listeners identify with the program but also own it. It helps society think of the world as something next to them.
Julius Kyamanywa
ReplyDeleteBBS Radio – Masindi
Peace Journalism is the making of choices by reporters and editors that are aimed at reducing or even averting violence. It means making choices to publish or broadcast what is aimed at creating peace in an environment characterized by violence.
Peace Journalism is a compliment to the general journalistic ethical provisions of accuracy, objectivity, balance or fairness among others. Peace journalism adds a few flavors to the general journalistic ethical standards. It calls for reporting or broadcasting in a way that is geared towards creating peace out of a conflict.
Peace Journalism is common and helpful to my journalism work. It's hard to tell its visibility especially for those, like the public who do not fully understand the concept of peace journalism. If society is to understand peace journalism, then they will after realizing the fruits.
It is also hard to tell if the principles of peace journalism are not fully embraced by the ownership and top management of a particular media house like it is for most of our Ugandan based local radio stations. Most radio owners do mind about the profits that accrue to them ad nothing else. They pay little or no attention to the journalism work. Few of the radio owners are willing to listen to the technical advice from their staff.
I do take caution when selecting words to use on a radio show. Words like the “Northerners” or “Easteners” to refer to people from Northern and Eastern Uganda respectively are now uncommon to me personally and my close workmates. Avoidance of such words that would otherwise create an impression of segregation helps create harmony and peace as well. This basically helps since earlier it used to create mental disharmony since people in Northern Uganda thought undermined because the station is owned by one from the West. Additionally, the power of media at tomes could make it possible for society to be swayed away to behave like the radio workers. They would resort to referring to these people like radio people refer to them.
Peace Journalism has aided me in looking out for solutions, not just solutions but long term solutions to societal problems or concerns. It has taught me to avoid explaining problems to my listeners and just putting emphasis on them and their causes but focus so much on the available solutions society can explore to cure the problems peacefully. For example the food crisis that has hit most districts of Uganda in the past months, the high inflation rates and the high prices of commodities all require due attention. I discussed all the above in a way that emphasized and called on society to look for solutions looking at government and society itself. This, I believe has helped to create a sense of responsibility within society in a way creating harmony.
Peace Journalism aids me in choosing issues or topics for discussion on radio. I do, these days confine myself to people-oriented sourcing. Most of the topics I discuss do originate from the society members. This has helped me give most of my discussions the view of the common man. Even in cases where the discussion issue national in outlook, it gives me the challenge to localize it and make it relevant to my local listeners. This helps the listeners identify with the program but also own it. It helps society think of the world as something next to them.
Mob justice will always be there and referring to the article i have read "Media frenzy encourages mob justice",the media might be blamed in some way because During the most hated woman’s trial, Grace in her program devoted increasing time and energy to the proceedings, resulting in the 29-year-old network’s best ratings months ever in June.She was so biased that made an atmosphere conducive to vigilantism.
ReplyDeleteThis also teaches us to be balanced in our coverage to avoid mob-justice like Grace did.
Atim Ruth
Speak Fm Gulu
Odongkara Feslad Charles
ReplyDelete100.7 POL FM
The issue showing photos or videos that may cause violence is not good, however, it depend on the magnitude at which the photo is meaning and its effect on the general community or the world at large. For instance if the photo or video could cause violence that can result into long peaceful environment then I will show it because it will bring meaningful peace and deliver people from oppression than leaving people in the hand of a “lion” that will continue eating people one by one. This is the same with what happened in Egypt. Egyptian were saying their former President Mubarrack was not interested in solving the problem they were in and he turned deft ear to them. So they decided to stage protest by showing bad photos and the negative contribution of Mubarrack to Egyptian economy. By doing that everybody took concern even the security agents in the country. They came out in the street and started protesting, everybody joined them whether in a positive or negative ways though people lost their lives but at the end they succeeded and got “where they can breathe” the way they wanted it to be.
Another example was the video for 9/11 attack of the Twin Tower in USA, this made the US struggled and at last they managed to killed Osama Bin Laden because he was the mastermind of that attack and he was the leader of Al-Qaeda. Up to now the US is doing well by fighting against terrorist in the world because they (USA) saw the problem/atrocities normally committed by terrorists.
However, if the photo is seem to be causing violence and the negative result of the violence overweight the positive result then it is recommended not to show it to the public. For example, in 1996, there was a man who killed one commander of the LRA (Lord Resistance Army) led by Joseph Kony by busing bow and arrow, in Lamwo District, Palabek Kal Sub County, Orom Village, when the story and the picture of the body of decease was published in one of the newspaper here in Uganda. LRA managed to get that paper and read everything concerning the story. Afterward they came back in that same area and killed all the 6 people in that family and another 7 people from that area at the same time, but the man who killed the rebel was not killed because he was away in the army barrack from where he was given little money as appreciation from the government for killing rebel commander. So when you see the magnitude of the effect of the man killing one rebel and he was given small money compare to the man losing all the 6 family members, you will find that the man and the people in that Village suffered a lot than the rebel.
My advice is a particular journalist should first analyze the effects which might come as a result of showing the photos/videos before you come with it out. If you find that negative results overweight positive side then it is advisable not to show it and vice versa.
I would censor a photo or video if I believe its publication would cause violence. This would basically be to the fact that as a peace Journalist I have the duty to make choice on what articles I publish in order to give my readership make rational choices to peace.
ReplyDeleteAs a peace Journalist, publishing any material which I believe may cause violence is violation of this duty.
STEPHEN OKHUTU
Radio One 90.0 FM
Kayunga
Dear All,
ReplyDeleteI have been moved by the Article on Media coverage on Macedonian Violence.
Spare sometime to read it. Things must change! Something must be done to revive the glory of the media in Uganda.
I would censor a picture or video if i believed that it would cause violence.This is so because publishing such content would make no difference between me a peace journalist and a war journalist.
ReplyDeleteRuth Atim
Speak Fm
Gulu
James Omara Elem Lira
ReplyDeleteI definitely censor a photo or video if I find it not worth publishing but this will be done after wide consultations with my editors and senor journalist so as it joint decision and we all share responsibility of the out come of it
The consultations is to help me make a wise decision because it can bring a lot of debate because others would not believe the person is dead as per that of Bin Laden and Gadafi so for other people to believe they dead others would want to see photos but whey they extremely bad then I don’t show it out this is for the shake of peace.
How i would organize it would be in this way. I would first set the learning objectives, assessments and instructional strategies. Once these three components are identified, at least provisionally, the next task is to organize them into a coherent, dynamic whole. This involves:
ReplyDelete1.Deciding on a Course Structure. This would involve the choice of topics that would be covered. In my scenario the topics that i would cover will be:
The definition of PJ, why practice PJ, PJ and related topics: Journalism 101; Ethics, Political journalism; Developmental journalism and Conflict sensitive reporting etc.
2.Selecting a Teaching Strategy. Here I would combine a number of different instructional activities to help my colleagues accomplish the goals of the course/seminar. I would also think about what I would want my colleagues to be able to do when they leave the course (Tell them the power of PSAs and each colleague should produce atleast two in a month, produce reportages and how they can exercise PJ in their daily reporting).
3.And finally I create a Schedule. After determining the main topics to be covered, and an appropriate teaching strategy for accomplishing our objectives, i must create a schedule for the course/seminar. Here it is important to gauge the amount of time necessary for the activities we have in mind, both in and outside of class time.
The best way to reach my colleagues is to use case studies where peace journalism has worked.
I would convince them about the utility (usefulness) and power of peace journalism by telling them that peace journalism is solution-orientated because it gives a voice to the voiceless. It also humanizes the enemy and exposes lies on all sides. I would also convince them that peace journalism highlights peace initiatives and also focuses on the invisible effects of violence, such as psychological trauma.
Ruth Atim
Speak Fm
Gulu
Kara Gilbert Amacha
ReplyDeleteRock Mambo Fm
Tororo.
My story will cover the Tororo peace club, its background and current situation.
I am going to interview at least two or three members including the chairman of the club.
11 months after the formation of Tororo Peace club to oversee the conduct of journalists ahead of the February 2011 general elections; one would think such a club would not exist anymore,
This is not the case; the peace club is one of the strongest out of the 15 peace clubs formed across the country with the support of peace journalism director prof, Steven Youngblood.
One of the goals for the club formation was to see violent free election during and after February 2011.
My story covered the former abductees and how the organisation(Amnesty Commission)is rehabilitating and uniting them peacefully with their families.
ReplyDeleteWhat i did well was to interview one of the formerly abducted children and he shared with me his experience and how Lucy Lapoti(Information,Counselling and referal officer with amnesty commission)helped him forget his past experience in the bush and he is now living peacefully with his family.
What i can do to improve on this is to go the rehabiliation centres and produce a Feature story on them because our asignment was limited to only 2 and ahalf minutes.
Generally the course was good because we had a good supervisor(Gloria)who could guide us in anything that we asked.She never got tired of our many question which made our study interesting and easy.
The information i found interesting and useful was about the critics of Peace journalism.It has made realise that much as am a Peace Journalist,there are many out there against it so it has taught me to stand my ground as a Peace Journalist.
What i will do to carry on my work as apeace journalist is never to take sides in any of my reporting,Be balanced in my coverage and all this will be achieved by sticking to the peace journalism ethics.
Ruth Atim
Speak Fm,Gulu