See interesting discussion below from the Nigeria case study, Week 6. Well done, as always.
Steven
I do not think someone should censure herself simply because a group of people threaten public violence if something appears in print. If such a thing were to happen then journalism would fail in one of its cardinal responsibilities of informing audiences and acting as a watchdog for the public. Quite often, especially in investigative journalism, the people that the journalist is investigating will try as much as possible not to enable the journalist have access to information that he or she needs for the story. This, however, does not mean that the story being investigated does not interest members of the public or does not affect them. And this particular scenario of members of the public threatening violence if something appears in print is not the same as the one that sparked off violence in Kaduna , Nigeria
--Betty Mujungu
The author would in her right senses know that the Muslims were going to consider the report offensive. I wonder why she had to show no consideration for other people's feelings. Why Mohammed not any other person? Moreover in a country believed to be hosting majority of Muslims, more so during the holy month of Ramadan when most Muslims feel closer to Allah.
--Alison Blick
With freedom of speech comes consequences. The speaker has to be prepared to face the consequences, whether that results in getting arrested, beaten up, trampled in a stampede or killed by some angry Mob. The same applies to anyone who incites others to violence, which is increasing everywhere.
--Ruth Atim
See below, a few examples from Week 5. I could have used an excerpt from each paper because they were all that good. I thought your analysis was excellent, and I agree: there are many lessons from Macedonia that we can learn in Uganda (and in the U.S., for that matter...) Keep up the good work. Steven
The lessons learned in Gaza apply to Uganda
And more to that, war journalism typically stops reporting when the conflict is over, whereas peace journalism stays on and reports the aftermath of the war.
If i were to offer a peace journalism course for journalists in Gaza
--Alison Blick
I do agree with the findings because it tells us the journalists not to publish photos that incites violence. If you look at figure one in the Gaza reading, it shows Palestinians carrying the body of one of the relatives of former Interior Minister Saeed Seyyam during his funeral in Gaza City
The lessons learned in Gaza can apply in Uganda
--Ruth Atim
I must start by saying that I do entirely agree that the media in Macedonia and Albanian are both spreading propaganda for their respective countries but not working for their people and they must be blamed for any death that occurred during this war simply because they very careless in their work.
Not even my local council one court can behave like media in Macedonia and Albanian, they guys are very bias, not accurate, not balanced, and more so directly they are encouraging war in their respective countries which to me all those media houses must be closed immediately and some of the reporters prosecuted for their actions and involvement in this war.
Its very dangerous for people who are suppose to redirect the country and urge for peaceful resolutions of conflicts to behave like this because at the end of it all it’s the innocent people sufferings, women and children which is not fair to any body, I must say this war is most likely not to end if some thing is not done to the media and some of the reporters, do they have also professional editors?, this matter is serious and so soon we shall see genocide there if the media dose not change.
--James Omara
This is also the same with what is happening with the journalists in Uganda
-- Odongkara Feslad Charles
Peace Journalists:
See some highlights below of Week 4. I was really impressed by the many ways you employ peace journalism every day. Excellent work!! Steven
Since them I started being critical of war journalism and assigned myself a task of proof reading every article that was to be published from members of the Association to see how we can employ peace journalism in our reporting. To my surprise, the community, even without knowing that we were employing peace journalism principles in our reporting, started commending us for ‘a positive change’ in our reporting.
Challenge is most Media outlets still give priority to War Journalism
--Stephen Okhutu
Besides as I apply peace journalism in my reporting I always have a question in mind, that how honest am I in the view of the conflicting interests of various groups involved or associated with the social conflicts I report about. I find it difficult, though not impossible to remain objective or interest free in the face of the conflicts especially conflicts with serious ramifications in society.
I always wonder how to over come the stress and trauma that is natural and the human reaction to conflict especially when I know and have ever been caught up in a similar or related situation. These questions and situations have come my way each time am reporting on sensitive issues but at the same time, I have always been able to report my stories with out any bias, victimizing language, fair and balanced manner.
--Betty Mujungu
Another thing is that Peace journalism helps me advise my manager on the need for balanced and objective reporting, who in one way or another would have wanted me to ignore my ethics since he is too money minded.
Peace journalism has helped me put regulations on in-callers during my programmes. That is what they say on air because if i allow they to speak whatever they want, they might end up inciting violence in one way or another.
Peace journalism has also forced me to adopt investigative journalism which i never used to do.I now look at both sides of the story whenever am editing and make sure i give the minority a say.I have been able to do that by using more voices from everyday citizens.
--ALISON AKATUKWASA
Besides that the trainings I had on PJ has been helpful for the entire station after sharing with other staff members. Presenters use words carefully, on air, which is in line with the mission of the station. The lead-ins and introduction to a story are carefully chosen, unlike years ago when they used to be hard lead-ins in a news bulletin.
The last hand book we received for PJ in Uganda
--Ojok Emmanuel
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.
-- Julius Kyamanywa
Team:
Here are some excerpts from Week 3 work. Again, fine job! Steven
The media is more concerned with the promotion of self interests than practising real journalism. So I agree with Workneh’s findings that if war sells, there is limited or no motivation on the part of media organizations to embrace peace journalism practices.
I believe that peace journalism will be a success in the future, if these few reporters will never reach a critical mass that is needed to change the basic essentials and workings of corporate journalism. Like Hanitzsch predicted, “Like it or not, peace journalism stands at odds with the market-driven demands of commercial news production. Corporate journalism needs to ‘sell’ content to an audience that is as large as possible, while at the same time, low budgets for news production degrade journalism’s capability to enlighten society”
--Stephen OkhutuAnother thing would have been the photos of those people who were crying for peace because I know there were very many people there who were so much in need for peace and the war to come to an end. Even the leaders coming together for a round table discussion on settling the matter concerning war. The involvement of the United Nation (UN) should have been displayed because I cannot rule out that the UN did not involve itself in the Gaza
Photos such as a child behind the bar, destruction of building, well armed soldiers and burning of flag that provoke nations in to war should have not been displayed to the public because by doing this you are inviting for more war. A journalist doing this kind of photos is practicing war journalism but not peace journalism.
--Odongkara Feslad CharlesPeace Journalists:
Great job with your week 2 papers. I've combined some of the best elements from a few of your papers into one document. Let the debate continue.
Well done!
SY
From Week 2--
1. James Omara Elem
Here are two different short stories that i do have as an example.
Chairman of lango community has directed his people to revenge on the karamoja tribe who he said stole their cattle in the early 1980’s that left people of lango living in extreme poverty and they cannot afford to pay school fees for their children. When the Karamoja keeps on disturbing our peace, we shall take arms against them he said. We better stay in peace if you need peace.
He said people of lango should take up arms and fight karamoja so that they can get back their animals or recover the little left.
He attacked the government of Museveni to be having full knowledge of the theft and lango should also take arms against government of Uganda
Though this is just the example, if these story was brought in by your reporter with all the sound bites and all the evident that all these was said, will you leave it go on air like that? With languages like’ directed his people to take arm and fight karamoja tribe who stole their cattle? He attacked the government of being directly involved in the cattle theft in lango and lango should take arm and overthrow government.
What will be the impact of the story to the two tribe? What will happen between government of Uganda
The chairperson of lango community has appealed to government of Uganda
He said people of lango lost their cattle to some Karamoja cattle rustlers who invaded the lango region and took all the animals from lango and its neighbour.
He lamented that its the responsibility of the government to keep her citizens and their properties and it better those who lost their cattle and other properties be compensated. He appealed to the two communities to stay at peace and forget the past so that the lasting peace can prevail. He was yesterday speaking at the swear inn ceremony for the new paramount chief of lango at lango cultural centre.
These are two stories taken from the same source at the same function, the second one shows that the reporter is peace minded and is still sticking to principles of journalism but so mindful of his languages and sound bites.
2. Betty Mujungu
Critics of Peace Journalism say its practioners have a bias towards Peace. But what is wrong with that since as humans we have several biases? Of importance would be to ask about the value to society of such a bias? The essay eloquently supports this view point:
‘Since we have biases, and those biases influence the criteria we use to make hundreds of editorial decisions a day, why not add one additional filter or bias to the mix—one that recognizes the value of peace?’
The above argument by Prof Youngblood is that Peace as a bias can be added among the many biases that journalists use to determine what news is or what should get in the paper or on air. Since no one has ever presented a logical argument that peace is bad or violence is better than peace for any given society then it’s worthy to include peace as one of the biases in the practice of journalism. The world must put in place deliberate mechanisms to have peace for it to remain peaceful. Peace journalism should be one of them.
3. Stephen Okhutu
I would however agree with Loyn and his group of critiques on the framing ‘War and Peace Jurnalism’ which makes all those who don’t practise Peace Journalism look as though they are for war. We should all agree that not all conventional Journalists are in favour of war. Though, the best alternative would not be to pull out swords against peace Journalism but rather to suggest a better name. Every new idea, lilke Peleg puts it, is bound to meet attacks, but he does better he who works to improve than rubishing the idea as “Meaningless and misleading in general” as Loyn stated in his paper.
Conventional Journalist should understand that Peace Journalism is about supplying the background rather than giving the answers. Peace Journalism is not being manipulated by the readers but helping them make their own decisions through professional Journalism practice.
From Week 1--
Peace Journalism:
Peace Journalism:
Peace Journalism is simply responsible reporting. It is reporting that requires a Journalist to present facts about an event or an issue giving due consideration to the salient tenets of ideal journalism. As Journalists, we have an obligation to the people we report about, and to the society to whom we report the news.
Peace Journalism is the trade of gathering, analysis and dissemination of information through any media that is aimed at creating peace rather than fuelling conflict and orchestrating violence. As a Peace Journalist, one has an obligation to study and understand conflict and conflict resolution generally before reporting on it.
—Julius
· We have a duty to establish the background and case of the conflict this bearing in mind that even perceived grievances are important to perpetuating and in resolving the conflict.--Stephen
· The language used in reporting also counts a lot is Peace Journalism. Understand the language you use in reporting; having in mind the aspirations, traditions, norms and customs of your audience. Choose you works carefully, select images that don’t cause hullabaloo amongst your audience. Avoid words used by parties in conflict that exaggerate events.—Stephen
· Journalists are also expected to desist from partisan politics because they are expected to be the voice for the voiceless through expressing people’s opinions—Anatory
· Media houses should Endeavour to own whatever is said and done; must ensure social responsibility. --Anatory
· You should fight to stick on your core values. Do not let money overpower your ethics. Make that politician who is trying to bribe you or any other person that you are not working for him but for the good of the people.--Alison
· Identifying the goals of the various parties involved directly or indirectly in a conflict, and possible contradictions between them.--Ruth
· A Peace Journalist should expose the truth / untruth on all sides and try to name all wrongdoers and treat equally seriously allegations made by all sides in a conflict without exaggerations and propaganda.--Betty
· Talk show host especially political or panellist even moderators should avoid using bad languages in their show and even controls callers from using bad languages during their shows.--James
· PJ represents the trauma and experiences of all the parties in the conflict. This is done in a very professional, balanced, fair and non exploitative approach --Emmanuel
· A journalist shall not originate or encourage the dissemination of information designed to promote or which may have the effect of promoting tribalism, racism or any form of discrimination.--Felix
· A peace journalist must practice impartiality to avoid taking sides in any conflict. Peace journalists should never take bribes, hand outs, free machinery as these acts could distort the news.—Gilbert
· As a Peace Journalist, you ought to give a wide ear to those involved in bring peace. Report on the efforts of those working on peace and reconciliation every bit as much as those who exacerbate the conflict. Seek wide explanations and analysis from those outside the conflict like experts. Get their view on the causes of the conflict and also seek their views on how a conflict can be resolved peacefully.—Julius
