IN THIS ISSUE

• Project connects Indians and Pakistanis

• Dispatches from Uganda, Yemen, Nigeria, Turkey, Ethiopia

• A unique feminist perspective on PJ

Launching a PJ guide in Afghanistan

Probing the link between and Humanitarianism A publication of the Center for Global at Park University Vol 10 No. 1 - April 2021 April 2021 April 2021 The first time I put out a call for submissions held in person. A number of other Zoom Contents to this magazine, almost 10 years ago, I half peace journalism workshops and seminars expected to get one or two articles, leaving Editor’s are underway , including a fascinating one 4 Cover Story 16 Turkey me to figure out how to fill an entire maga- involving Indian and Pakistani . Linking PJ, humanitarian journalism Spotlighting reporting on refugees zine by myself. Notebook Cover photo-- Peace journalism researchers and thinkers Al Yasmine camp, Bekaa Valley, 6 Uganda Nigeria Instead, I continue to be amazed and thrilled not only are also busy considering a feminist approach to PJ, Lebanon, 2019; by Cilene Victor. 18 Violence vs. reporters; workshops The cycle of social media negativity by the quality and volume of submissions about peace social media negativity and PJ, and how PJ can benefit The Peace is a semi- journalism, but also with the contributors’ willingness from the techniques of slow journalism. annual publication of the Center to share their stories for nothing but my thanks. I hope in reading this edition of The Peace Journalist for Global Peace Journalism at Park This is all doubly true during the Covid 19 pandemic. that you, like me, will be inspired and energized by the University in Parkville, Missouri. The I had expected peace journalism research and project drive and commitment of peace journalism’s advo- Peace Journalist is dedicated to dis- work to ground to a halt after last March. I was, once cates and practitioners around the world. seminating and information again, mistaken. for teachers, students, and If our colleagues can continue carrying PJ’s torch in practitioners of PJ. A quick glance at the table of contents reveals a war-torn Afghanistan and Yemen during a pandemic, wealth of stories about ongoing PJ project work in the rest of us don’t have much excuse for not redou- Submissions are welcome from all. places as diverse as Uganda and Afghanistan, where bling our own efforts. We are seeking shorter submissions 8 Feminism peace journalism events and trainings have even been --Steven Youngblood (300-500 words) detailing peace Feminist perspective on PJ journalism projects, classes, propos- als, etc. We also welcome longer Contributors 10 US, Yemen Covid-19 & Media Cilene Victor (Humanitar- Kirthi Jayakumar (Feminist Laney Lenox (Slow journal- Innocent Iroaganachi (Ni- submissions (800-1200 words) 20 Media literacy projects launch ian, page 4) is a full profes- PJ, page 8) ism, page 14) is a PhD can- geria, page 18) is a member about peace or conflict sensitive Dehumanizing Covid victims sor in the is a Feminist didate at Ulster University’s and media journalism projects or programs, as Pakistan-India Social Com- Researcher, School of Ap- correspon- well as academic works from the 12 22 Afghanistan munication Lawyer, and plied Policy dent with field. We do NOT seek general sub- Project connects journalists New guidebook published Program at GBV Con- and Social SIGNIS missions about peace projects, but 14 Slow Journalism Ethiopia Metodista sultant. She Sciences (World Cath- are instead focused only on articles 24 founded and research- olic Asso- Slow journalism complements PJ Analyzing coverage of crisis University with a strong media angle. of São Paulo runs The ing the role ciation of Communication), (UMESP), Gender Security Project. of archives where he has participated in Deadlines: March 3 (April edition); Brazil, where documenting incarceration various media related work- What is Peace Journalism? Steven Youngblood (Media September 3 (October edition). in societies affected by con- shops and trainings. Peace Journalism is when editors and reporters make choices that improve she is one of the leaders Lit/PJ, page 10) is direc- flict. Her work falls broadly the prospects for peace. These choices, including how to frame stories and of workgroup Humanitar- tor of the Lewis W. Diuguid (Media Editor: Steven Youngblood, Director, into critical theory with an carefully choosing which words are used, create an atmosphere conducive to ian Journalism and Media Center for and Covid, Center for Global Peace Journalism, anthropological approach peace and supportive of peace initiatives and peacemakers, without compro- Interventions, and professor Global Peace page 20) is Park University to fieldwork and focuses at FAPCOM. Journalism at an author, Proofreading: Carol Getty, Ann mising the basic principles of good journalism. (Adapted from Lynch/McGold- on viewing linear time as a rick, Peace Journalism). Peace Journalism gives peacemakers a voice while Park Univer- freelance- Schultis, Park U. emeritae faculty (Uganda, page social construct. making peace initiatives and non-violent solutions more visible and viable. Gloria Laker sity, and edi- writer and 6) is a Ugandan award win- tor of The Peace Journalist. Rukmini Banerjee (Turkey/ lecturer. Contact/Social Media: ning journalist and a peace Refugee reporting, page A number of valuable peace journalism resources, including curriculum Pratyush Ranjan (Pakistan- [email protected] journalism trainer. Gloria 16) is the Masoud Momin (Afghani- packets, online links, as well as back issues of The Peace Journalist can be found India, page 12) is Senior Twitter-@Peace Journ runs the Uganda Refugees President stan, page 22) is a freelance at www.park.edu/peacecenter. Editor, currently with Jagran Facebook-Peace Journalism group and Migration Media Net- of HasNa, a media trainer. He worked New Media, India. Center for Global Peace work. Washington, with Me- Lubna Jerar Naqvi is current- Journalism, Park University Center for Global Peace Journalism Sabir Musa is young and DC-based diothek passionate peace journalist ly freelancing and has been The Center for Global Peace Journalism works with journalists, academics, and nonprofit Afghanistan based in Arua City. affiliated with the media for and Nai students worldwide to improve reporting about conflicts, societal unrest, rec- organization with a mission more than 20 years, based in Supporting onciliation, solutions, and peace. Through its courses, workshops, lectures, this to facilitate cross-cultural Karachi, Pakistan. Open Media magazine, , and other resources, the Center encourages media to reject understanding and recon- in Afghani- sensational and inflammatory reporting, and produce counter-narratives that ciliation between divided communities and to reduce stan. He has offer a more nuanced view of those who are marginalized—ethnic/racial/ conducted many trainings A Park University Publication barriers to positive peace. religious minorities, women, youth, and migrants. for Afghan journalists. Vol 10, No. 1 pg 2 www.park.edu/peacecenter pg 3 By Steven Youngblood

Imagine a world where di- . In most cases, April 2021 sasters, climate change, civil it amplified their power of from Pg 4 wars, and armed conflicts Is human suffering omnipresence. According Humanitarian happened simultaneously, to the report “Measuring These root causes have been underreported. Journal- work “Peace Journalism” is that “peace journalism is impacting dozens of coun- Invisible? digital development: Facts ism students in different parts of the world continue when editors and reporters make choices – of what tries, and making the first and figures 2019,” it is to share their dream, asking their professors how they stories to report and how to report them – which cre- three decades of the 21st How media under-report estimated that 53.6% of the can prepare to become international correspondents ate opportunities for society to consider and to value century a portrait of the global population, or 4.1 bil- to cover wars, believing they will promote peace. Is non-violent responses to conflict.” worst humanitarian crisis humanitarian crises lion people, were using the there something wrong with since the end of the Second internet in 2019, including these students’ dream? Given that, we can identify a World War. 86.6% from developed countries. considerable connection be- The problem is their under- tween peace journalism and That was our world before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Considering this high level of access to information, standing of peace, which they humanitarian journalism. This which, for over a year now, has increased the suffering these questions must be explored: Why hasn’t human see as a total absence of con- is represented by the research of millions of people and exacerbated the weaknesses suffering been made more visible? How should atten- flicts. It is like, “After the war of Martin Scott, Mel Bunce, of political and social institutions in facing the problem. tion be given that might prevent the perpetuation of ends, there will be peace.” and Kate Wright, who have In 2021, the first World Humanitarian Summit, held in human rights violations? Is it enough to set a humani- examined media coverage of Istanbul, in 2016, celebrates its fifth anniversary, al- tarian agenda on migration and starvation caused by From the perspective of Dr. crises. In the most complete though it seems that its alerts and appeals, in essence, conflicts, wars, and disasters, for example? , our main refer- study on the theme, “The state materialized in the Agenda for Humanity, have not ence in peace studies, here we of humanitarian journalism,” been heard. According to the United Nations Office for As journalists, we must improve our coverage to help have an example of “negative the authors offer possible ways society achieve peace and justice, and especially to re- peace” – when peace means to guide a humanitarian media the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), it Photo left-Author Cilene Victor and her former duce people’s suffering across the world. This includes an absence of visible violence. agenda. is estimated that in 2021 there will be around 239 mil- master’s student Lilian Sanches in Karbala, lion people in need in 57 countries. victims of civil wars, armed conflicts, climate change, Many people understand peace natural disasters, economic and political instabilities, only in this sense, a reduction- Iraq in 2019. Photo above-Victor and Sanches More than removing people’s Before moving on to the discussion, I would like to go and the pandemic. This coverage must include minori- ist comprehension of the sub- during a lecture in Qom, Iran in 2019. suffering of invisibility and back in time a little. Even though the Rwandan geno- ties’ struggle for dignity, justice, and peace, made even ject which hides the intercon- opacity, the main role of hu- cide was one of the most brutal conflicts of the 20th more difficult by these challenges. nection between justice and conflict. Conflict does not manitarian journalism is to provide coverage guided century’s last decade, it was also one of the most invis- always necessarily mean violence, and peace is more by humanitarian ethics--coverage that respects the ible events in the Western mainstream media. This lack It is crucial to discuss how the media has reported than the absence of wars. dignity of minority groups. of coverage in turn was used as an excuse internation- humanitarian crises and avoided hate speech. For that, ally for not knowing what was happening in the African it is necessary to understand the dynamics of the in- Galtung’s concept of positive peace is more complex As journalists we have to observe and cover the root country. formation production process, which I have called the and involves a social system in which people are able causes of injustice, thus helping society avoid new lifespan of journalistic information. This process starts to manage conflicts positively, it is “the integration of social tragedies while laying a foundation for positive Considering that in 1991, tech- in our hands. human society.” Under positive peace, there is a lack peace. nological advances innovated of systemic structural and cultural violence (condi- international news coverage, It means that, as journalists, tions that fuel conflict). Positively peaceful societies The research conducted in the workgroup Humanitar- making possible the live trans- we must be aware of how allow all individuals to self-actualize. ian Journalism and Media Intervention of the Com- mission of Gulf War images, the narratives, perspectives, munication Program at Metodista University of São what would explain the invis- and approaches can impact In contexts of generalized injustice, as we can see in Paulo, Brazil examines the connection between peace ibility of the Rwandan genocide the perception of the audi- displacement by disasters, climate change and wars, journalism and humanitarian journalism, and the need three years later? ences on national and inter- positive peace is a to avoid the invisibil- national realities. Our role is crucial condition to ity of human suffer- This is not a ‘last century’ prob- to eliminate the invisibility follow the lifespan ing. The researchers lem. The five editions of Care of the people in need and at of the struggle for want to contribute International’s annual report the same time to rescue our justice which starts to highlight the “Suffering in Silence - The 10 moral and ethical commit- when we publish the root causes of wars, most under-reported humani- ment to humanity. For that, it first news about the disasters, climate tarian crises” have tried to is necessary to set a humani- issue. change and con- sensitize journalists and public tarian agenda in the public flicts, putting jour- opinion about the suffering of spheres as a crucial condition These concepts un- nalism at the center millions of people. That sensiti- to discuss, face, reduce, and derlie peace journal- of the worldwide zation has often failed. eliminate the root causes of ism. The first lesson struggle for human wars, conflicts, disasters, and we have learned dignity. At the beginning of the era of other social tragedies. from Jake Lynch and the connected society, it was Annabel McGoldrick --Cilene Victor feared that the internet would Continued on next page in their foundational eliminate the radio, TV and pg 4 www.park.edu/peacecenter Vol 10, No. 1 pg 5 April 2021 April 2021 Uganda from Pg 6 Election violence menaces Ugandan journalists Internet shutdown PJ, safety trainings provide some assistance journalists covering opposition politi- Away from violence against journal- cian Robert Kyagulanyi, known popu- ists, the media also face numerous Before Uganda’s recent election, These trainings resulted in an im- larly as Bobi Wine, while he delivered challenges submitting their stories several media development organiza- proved media approach in these a petition to a United Nations office in following a decision by the Ugandan tions played a leading role in training selected radio stations, according to Kololo, a neighborhood of the capital communication authorities ((https:// local journalists to prepare them for a the trainees. Kampala, according to nine of those acme-ug.org ) to shut down internet a balanced, professional, and peaceful journalists, who spoke to CPJ, media and social media. coverage of the January, 2021 general “We have been running a peace journalism radio program call ‘let’s reports, and statements by local press election. Despite these challenges, there were talk peace’ here at Radio Pacis (Arua, rights groups.” no reports of media induced violence One such media developer is DW Uganda), but we were not sure of how Journalists became targets of secu- during and after the election for Akademie, Germany’s leading media to do it right. But now after training, rity personnel. Many reporters faced Uganda’s president and members of development organization. They tailo- my manager, who is also the producer arrests and were beaten by security parliament. Before polling day, differ- erd their election project by training of this show, is incorporating some forces. A month before the presi- ent stakeholders called for peaceful, journalists in five of its partner radio of the peace journalism strategies dential election, the Uganda Media free, fair and credible elections. To en- stations across the country in key and styles we learnt from the training Council (UMI) issued statement to reg- sure that this was achieved, members areas including democracy, peace, into our peace program during and Irene Abolo Atto is among the eight journalists recently beaten by security ulate journalists by requiring them to of the media play a vital role through and electoral reporting and media law after the election,” said Sabir Musa, a forces after the January presidential election. register. According to the statement, election reporting and informing the in Uganda. trained journalist. “The Media Council has been register- was released days later and started trained police constables who were to public. As a local peace journalism trainer on Violence against the media ing reporters…to ensure the industry treatment for the injuries inflicted on provide security during the election. Journalist Alex Pithua of Choice FM this project, the trainings were timely, Safety training was part of the peace is well-monitored and sanitized from him while he was detained. According to the Oguzu, he was ac- radio in Gulu said when the Ugandan as many of the radio journalists were and electoral journalism workshops. quacks.” cused of accessing the venue without government shut down internet, their not aware of how to cover the elec- Alex Pithua of Choice FM radio in Gulu In another incident, NTV journalist seeking permission. The decision to register journalists radio station did not broadcast news tion in a more professional way. was careful and applied the safety tips Iceta Scovin says he was forced to de- was protested by media practitioners for three days. “Usually we submit our given ahead of the election. lete photos captured and recordings Obongi Resident District Commission- PJ/Election Trainings who challenged the legality of regis- during Presidential and Parliamentary er Gorre Gofin called for teamwork stories via email to the editor and this During the trainings, it became clearer “I encountered violence on two occa- tration. Following the outcry, the regu- election in Obongi District. and peace in the post elections. How- became hard for us as reporters and that peace journalism and electoral sions in Gulu and I kept close on the lation was later withdrawn. However, ever, the West Nile Press Association, even for our editor who could not ac- reporting was much needed given the side of police and luckily I was wear- in the weeks leading up to the elec- Oguzu Alua Ronald, a seasoned news which brings together different media cess international news or search. So tense political atmosphere which be- ing a press reflector jacket which also tion cycle and on voting day, jour- reporter with Arua One FM, was also houses in the region, has spoken out everything was a mess for journalists gan in October with election violence saved me,” he said. nalists in the West Nile region were briefly detained by police in Vurra against the escalating numbers of because of the shutdown,” he said. witnessed during the elections of the targets of intimidation and arrest. Sub County. Oguzu was arrested at violations and condemned acts of Unfortunately, despite several safety a graduation ceremony for newly security officers against journalists. --Gloria Laker and Sabir Musa ruling National Resistance Movement In central Uganda, news of the shoot- party. These elections were associat- training tips different media develop- ing of journalist Moses Bwayo on 5th In a time of journalistic be accountable and ed with violence in many parts of the ers gave journalists, more and more November sent rays of fear to many disruption, an over- transparent—while country, and this laid a foundation for journalists were this time detained Reporting Beyond the Problem journalists Another reporter, Ashraf abundance of negative implementing produc- the need for safety and PJ training. and beaten up and their gadgets From to Solutions Journalism (recorders, cameras, etc.) destroyed Kasirye, was reportedly injured while news (heightened by the tive, socially-responsible while at work. Journalists said this covering election compaigns in Ma- COVID-19 pandemic), extreme political partisanship, and reporting approaches that inform the public with the un- problem was worse than during previ- saka district. low levels of public trust in the , we believe derstanding that our democracy cannot prosper without ous elections. productive, socially responsible forms of reporting that an informed populace. Moving to West Nile, Vision Group’s go beyond problem-based narratives offer a way forward. According to the Human Right Watch, journalist in Nebbi, Emmanuel Ojok, We believe that caring about the world does not make Uganda’s recent elections were as- was arrested by the army and later de- The new book, “Reporting Beyond the Problem: From journalists activists. Embracing our shared goal of mak- sociated with violence and human tained at Nebbi Central Police station Civic Journalism to Solutions Journalism” provides an ing the world a better place through reporting that seeks rights abuses. Security restrictions on prior to the election. At the time of his in-depth examination of socially-responsible news report- meaningful impact—with an appropriate level of context, journalists resulted to beating of many arrest, Ojok was covering a raid car- ing practices, such as constructive journalism, solutions complexity and journalistic rigor—may just be an effec- reporters covering the election. ried out by army forces at the home journalism, and peace journalism. Each chapter focuses tive way to reach people. of an opposition candidate, Robert on one reporting form, defining it and detailing its evolu- The Committee to Protest Journal- Onega, who was standing for a munic- tion and status among scholars and practitioners, as well This edited volume is the first academic book published ists has published similar reports. For ipality as a member of the Forum for as discussing its known effects and future direction. on these forms of reporting in the United States and is In Arua, trainer Gloria Laker discusses example, “On February 17, a group of Democratic Change (FDC) party. Ojok scheduled to become available later this Spring. peace journalism and responsible Ugandan military police officers used These approaches hold true to journalism’s professional electoral reporting. sticks and batons to beat at least 10 Continued on next page values—seek truth, minimize harm, act independently, --Karen McIntyre & Nichole Dahmen, book editors pg 6 www.park.edu/peacecenter Vol 10, No. 1 pg 7

April 2021 April 2021 Feminist PJ seeks to empower authentic voices Feminist PJ from Pg 8 different narratives, conflicting ones no less. tion on post-war developments. Peace Journalism is about truth behind them, and put them out before the masses in “Passing the mic” to women Each passes off a version as the truth, some transparent journalism that relies on facts and explores black and white. It is not for the media to insinuate, to de- During the Rwandan Genocide, radio was one of building on propaganda and a political agenda the reality of the situation. cide, or to pass value judgment on any subject it explores: the key enablers in orchestrating the genocide – that they are either paid for, or were founded but to deliver the truth as it is, by centering those whose Calling for a Feminist Peace Journalism pointing out localities where the Tutsis were so for, in the first place. This makes getting an ac- truth it is only if they exercise their agency freely and fully Even as peace journalism centers on the root cause and Hutu militia could find and kill them. In doing so, curate idea of the events around the country or in deciding whether to tell their story or not, and accord- asks for attention to be drawn to solutions, the truth, and the media exacerbated tensions and channeling the issue virtually impossible. ingly, if they decide to tell their story, then how. hatred, contributing to genocide. the realities surrounding a conflict, feminist peace jour- Assessing the role of the media globally, it is no nalism draws upon the principles of intersectionality and The role of the media In Serbia, television was deployed to convey Feminist PJ... guess that reporting on most conflict zones pres- standpoint feminism [3]. It seeks to center those whose The duty of the media begins and ends with the sole duty propaganda that would stir ethnic tensions in “seeks to center ents a torrid dilemma. With the many actors in- lived experiences shape the narrative, presents their truth of dispensing impartial information for public awareness. only with the exercise of their agency - and in their origi- In the course of doing so, it has a duty to be blind to preju- the run up to the civil war. In the former Soviet those whose volved in any conflict, there are scores of outlets Republic of Georgia, nationalist mythology was that offer partisan accounts of the news. Ethics nal, authentic voice rather than have another occupy or dice, and to expose facts that are grounded in committed propagated by the media, and deployed to lived experi- continue to be flouted with tampered videos appropriate that space. verification. The role of the media in containing tension by exacerbate the already simmering tensions over being passed off as news, media houses impos- reporting pure fact cannot be emphasised enough. As a ences shape the Feminist peace journalism addresses structural violence boundary disputes. Years later, even if the media ing value judgments and aligning themselves by voice that offers information, the media is perhaps among narrative...and and cultural violence, and acknowledges the need to dis- hasn’t been so proactively involved in facilitat- taking sides. That a biased report or one con- the earliest to know about the country’s fragile state, or at mantle these factors by shining a light on the root causes ing conflict and genocide, a subtle undercurrent present their structed on untruths can culminate in distrust, the very least, to know where the country’s fragile areas and the enabling environment that culminate in that borrows from these instances continues. disillusionment and cynicism about the media lie. Instead of exacerbating conflict by playing truth. particular forms of violence. is a given. In an already polarised society that is up on these divisive aspects, the media should War journalism function from a place of commitment to truth- divided, or on the brink of conflict, a section of Central to feminist peace journalism is gaze: War journalism keeps war alive. It is the front- telling. the society can end-up feeling disadvantaged. who is producing what, for whom, and to what runner element that campaigns for the pro- ” Their voices being silenced renders the essence end? Feminist inquiry aims at subverting the longed business of war. For the uninitiated, as Refraining from alarmist or over sensationalised of a democracy redundant. patriarchal male gaze, and instead, strives to the name suggests, War Journalism refers to reporting will go a long way towards keeping the look at the world, gathering and interpreting journalism that is focused on war, and encour- A community of people who subscribe to such media within its line of duty. What the media knowledge through the subversion of patriar- ages a presentation that [1] is heavily-oriented forms of media reporting, where violence con- needs to be providing is wholesome information chal structures, and to look at the world with towards violence and projects the conflict arena tinues to remain the key theme, will be more and a statement in clear terms that what it does a non-cis-het male lens. It serves to question in a two-party and one-goal deal. It confines inclined to sponsor or create conflict. The saying not know, it does not know. Bridging the objec- structures that are oppressive, discriminatory, itself to closed spaces and time, and studies the that history is written by the hands of the victors tive with purported statements covered with the unequal and exclusionary. cause and effect only in the arena. It typically rings true in the context of the media. Accord- subjective are counterproductive at best, and only go to create space for baseless propaganda concerns itself only with the visible or tangible ingly, the foundations of hatred will continue to Put together, Feminist Peace Journalism aims at effects of violence, making the conflict opaque. be built upon, and a future citizenry swearing by to thrive. passing the mic to facilitate transparent jour- --Kirthi Jayakumar The focus is on an ‘us-and-them’ rhetoric while hatred and anger will be built on the founts of nalism, storytelling, truth-telling, and creating seeing the enemy ‘them’ as the problem and false or incorrect or unverified information. information by relying on facts, and exploring References dehumanising them. War journalism is heavily the realities of the situations around us. Drawing reactive in that it waits for violence to start before it does Peace journalism 1. See Lynch, J. & Galtung, J. (2010). Reporting from the values of intersectional and contempo- Conflict: The Low Road and High Road or says anything, and is heavily propaganda-oriented, In contrast, Peace Journalism doesn’t concern itself with rary standpoints feminism, feminist peace jour- Feminist PJ is seeking only to expose ‘their’ untruths while helping to the winner-versus-loser rhetoric, but rather zooms right nalism takes the formula of peace journalism “ 2. Lynch, J. & McGoldrick, A. (2010) “A Global cover up ‘our’ own flaws. into the root of the very issue. It portrays conflicts in real- centering on and amplifies it further by centering the voices Standard for Reporting Conflict and Peace” in istic terms and encourages the exploration of backgrounds of those that have been marginalized, excluded, the voices of R.L. Keeble, J. Tulloch & F. Zollmann (eds.) Peace It tends towards the elite, by focusing on ‘their’ violence and contexts of conflict formation. It presents the causes oppressed, and talked over. It is cautious about those who have Journalism, War and Conflict Resolution. (Peter and ‘our’ suffering, calling ‘them’ evildoers and focusing and options of every side involved, without introducing who holds the pen while telling a story, and Lang: New York) only on the elite segments of society – spokespersons and the ‘us’ versus ‘them’ perspective. been marginal- peacemakers. In sum, what War Journalism does is create builds in a committed, and dedicated approach ized, excluded, 3. SALHANI, Jorge; SANTOS, Heloisa dos and CA- a hype that gets everyone to say “Never Again” and em- It effectively serves the purpose by [2] being transpar- to stay away from . BRAL, Raquel. A Feminist Perspective on Peace ploy powerful sounding hashtags – but it stops with that. ent in the representation of the causes, background and oppressed, and The media as a platform is meant to crystallise Journalism. Rev. Estud. Fem. [online]. 2020, Once the conflict is resolved or becomes old news, there issues concerning a conflict; giving a voice to the rival talked over. public opinion as only one part of its duty. Its vol.28, n.3, e61625. Epub Nov 30, 2020. ISSN is a massive decline regarding concern over the issue, yet parties involved and their views; exposing lies, cover-ups primary responsibility is pivoted around being 1806-9584. without ever understanding the root of the problem in the and attempts to cover-up as well as culprits on all sides a conduit between the incident and those who http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1806- first place. This leaves a sort of Band-Aid on the sore, with- unequivocally; revealing the suffering inflicted on people should be informed of it. Deploying feminist ” 9584-2020v28n361625 https://www. out any concern for preventing the conflict from recurring. of all parties involved in the conflict; paying attention to peace values, the media would not only have scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0104- peace stories and efforts for peace and providing informa- Take any conflict in the world today. There are a range of a duty to collect facts, ascertain and verify the 026X2020000300205&script=sci_abstract Continued on next page pg 8 www.park.edu/peacecenter Vol 10, No. 1 pg 9 If the events at With this in mind, the US capitol in the Center for January revealed Media literacy projects launched Global Peace from Pg 10 nothing else, they Journalism recently Literacy underscored the Leveraging links between PJ and media lit concluded two me- to mis, dis, and mal-information and an overview of mis/ increasing im- dia literacy proj- disinformation in media reports about Covid-19 and the portance of the peace journalism approach (and the dire ects--one in the Kansas City area, and the other in Yemen. recent civil rights protests. We armed the students with in- consequences of traditional journalism) as well as peace formation about how to sniff out (e.g. consider journalism’s connection to the field of media literacy. Me- Kansas City media literacy project the , the target audience, double-check info, exam- dia literacy, according to Cortland.edu, has five key princi- As American wound down the road toward the November ine the writer’s motivations, etc.); how to conduct their ples: All media are election, it became abundantly clear, if it wasn’t already, own fact checking; and how to implement their own basic constructions; the that social and content analysis study to detect media biases. media construct Peace Journalism and Media Literacy traditional media reality; audiences Hypothesis: Media literate consumers are more receptive to peace journalism were being weap- The students did an excellent job coming up with coding negotiate meaning framing and storytelling approaches onized by political lists designed to discern differences, for example, in re- operatives and ports about hydroxycholroquine (a Covid “cure” promoted in media; media MEDIA ILLITERATE MEDIA LITERATE have commercial malevolent foreign by Donald Trump) on Fox News vs. CNN. --Propaganda-pro “us”; or anti --Balanced, neutral news actors against the implications; and RECEPTIVE Central Middle School Principal Dr. Jarius Jones was thrilled “them” --Bridge building, peacebuilding American people. media contain by his students’ engagement in the project. He said, “... ideological and --Anti “them” news stories between “us” and “them” value messages. --Misinformation/disinformation --Voice of the voiceless stories on How can we fight Center Middle School and Center High School scholars about “them” all sides back? I think one have been afforded the opportunity to apply critical think- PJ and media --Pro “us” news --Solutions oriented stories of the best ways ing skills to real-world issues. Knowing that relevant topics literacy are, in fact, --Sensational news framing --Analyzing/discussing journalism is through media and current events are being examined during the study, is the_misreport_digital-web). The students also produced a responsibility (peace?), ethics, two sides of the --Voice for “our” voiceless literacy. Media lit- exactly the experience we want for every student.” podcast (https://soundcloud.com/user-961623623/media- --Inflammatory, demonizing lan- and objectivity same coin. While it eracy is the thrust literary-podcast). Both of these products were profession- guage about “them” behind a project I KC literacy project concludes with summit, magazine ally executed. is vital that media --Spreading misinformation like embrace more pro- spearheaded last The project culminated in December with a Media Literacy blue lies (lies that are told on be- Summit on Zoom Yemen media literacy project ductive peace jour- half of a group) to benefit a politi- year. Sponsored wherein stu- On March 18, Steven Youngblood, director of the Center nalism approaches, cal, economic, social, racial/ethnic by a Citizen Diplo- dents presented it’s equally crucial group; or to denigrate/damage an macy Action Fund for Global Peace Journalism, conducted a media literacy their research that news con- opposing group Rapid Response workshop for Yemeni journalists sponsored by the US Em- sumers are able award from the about media bassy in Yemen and US State Department. SEMI- --Balanced, neutral news --Misinformation/disinformation U.S. Department of literacy and its to intelligently, The 2.5 hour seminar via Zoom covered in the introductory thoughtfully, and RECEPTIVE --Solutions orientation stories about “us” or “them” State, the project importance. The --Counternarrative stories about segment a discussion about whether journalists can recog- critically receive was titled, “Me- presentations “them” nize fake news, as well as definitions of terms like mis -and media messages. dia Literacy for were excellent, --Sensational, inflammatory news Students: Lessons and indicated dis-information. The seminar transitioned into an over- The chart shows UN- --Propaganda—pro “them” or anti --Propaganda about “us” or from Covid-19.” an abundance view of news media literacy and its principles. Then, the my hypothesis RECEPTIVE “us” “them” of critical think- journalists examines mis- and disinformation case studies, about the rela- --Misinformation about “us” --Sensational news framing It kicked off in ing that will be especially focusing on the “Infodemic” of false information tionship between --Bridge building, peacebuilding --Inflammatory, demonizing September with a necessary if the about Covid-19. media literacy and stories between “us” and “them” language Zoom conference students are to --Counternarrative stories about The final segment of the seminar armed the journalists, peace journalism. --Spreading misinformation like for Center Middle become sophis- “them” blue lies (lies that are told on be- who came primarily from Yemen with a few Egyptians and The basic premise and Center High ticated media --Stories giving their voiceless a half of a group) to benefit a politi- Above-From the media and literacy Turks sprinkled in, how to combat misinformation. The is that individu- School students consumers. voice cal, economic, social, racial/ethnic seminar for KC students. Below-Flyer tools discussed included fact checking, social media veri- als who are more from Kansas --Thoughtful consideration about group; or to denigrate/damage an for media literacy for journalists pro- fication, how to educate their readers/viewers on how to media literate are City, and college As part of the journalism responsibility (peace?), opposing group gram in Yemen. be smarter news consumers, and how to check their own more willing and students from project, the ethics, and objectivity work and the work of others using content analysis tools. able to break out Johnson County students submit- Saleh Al-Mansoob, a reporter for Al-Jumhuriya , of their media echo Community College ted articles that said, “The training information has been useful to us as chambers, and better equipped to sniff out bias and inac- (Overland Park, KS) and Park University (Parkville, MO). were compiled journalists. We learned about how we can verify mislead- curacy. Thus, media literate individuals are more receptive into a magazine, The Misreport-A ing news and rumors. What terms should we use? How do to peace journalism style messaging, including counternar- Co-presenters Lewis Diuguid (journalist/multicultural Study of Media we get real information in light of the Covid-19 pandemic? ratives, bridge building, giving peacebuilders a voice, and education trainer), Allan Leonard (Fact Check Northern Ire- Literacy We have gained new skills. This training was thorough.” rejecting propaganda and “us vs. them” story framing. land), and I presented the attendees with an introduction (https:// issuu.com/peace- --Steven Youngblood Continued on next page journalism/docs/ pg 10 www.park.edu/peacecenter Vol 10, No. 1 pg 11 April 2021 Q: How have you used peace journal- was the core of my stories ism in your work during the last four --I work for (an Indian daily newspaper). In months (after the September workshop)? our daily meeting, I have become the kind of Projects builds bridges across boundaries Quotes collected from East West Center/Cen- ‘Voice of Pakistan’ after attending our meetings and why it should aim at building Since I am a certified fact-checker ter for Global Peace Journalism Zoom conference Pakistani, Indian peace and work for inclusive growth. associated with Google News Initia- participants, February, 2021. --We are writing about India sending vaccines to vari- journalists unite tive India Training Network as well, I ous countries including Pakistan under the Covax initia- In the month of January 2020, I came used this opportunity to connect with --Collaboration in fact checking work and made it cross- tive. Interdependence is one of the important reasons for The East-West Center, a State Dept. to know about the first-ever India-Pak- fellow journalists and debunk fake border practice to debunk misinformation peace grantee, launched a project titled istan cross-border journalism project claims about Pakistan which are viral --Covering the communally polarising issue (redacted) --Fact checking during COVID rumours, especially ones that “Reporting on Cross-Border Issues of by the East West Center (EWC) and on social media platforms in India. in India, I looked at the impact the hateful politics and stigmatised a community or profession Mutual Concern” for 80 Indian and I was really excited to get an oppor- the impact it has on the minds of children who are being Pakistani journalists last year. The tunity to join the group of journalists taught to hate their classmates and friends from other --We in our group of three (from both sides) covered the project has included subject matter from both the neighbouring countries faiths story of farmers in detail. seminars (economy, environment, ag- to discuss and work on cross-border I got immediate support and required --Try to add all voices instead of giving one side of the riculture, and health) as well as more issues of mutual concern. quotes in the series of fact checked ar- --I am working in a conflict area, but I tried to cross check story generalized seminars on multimedia ticles from colleagues across the bor- from both sides of --Have been production and peace journalism. A series of workshops was scheduled der - Naveed Akbar (Senior reporter of LoC in Kathmandu in the mid of 2019, but AAJ News), Tahir Amin (Staff Reporter --Coordination for Indian-Pakistani Reporters: more aware In the project, one journalist from COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown at Daily Business Recorder), and se- cross boarder stories of the words I each country is working together as a forced the EWC to postpone the physi- nior journalist Lubna Jerar Naqvi. use in my copy team on a cross-border media story to cal gathering by one year. In its place --I try to stop the How we use peace journalism to not make it be published or broadcast within the were two seminars featuring much- I became a part of a separate group sharing or spreading provocative/ region and on the project’s website needed interaction started on Zoom. with Usman Hanif, Safina Nabi, and of hate content on different social media platforms espe- inflammatory but focused on giving information (https://www.journalistsforchange. Shahzada Irfan. We are all are working cially --I’ve used it for my college academic writings. It was help- org/). Two peace journalism work- The cross border journalism project collectively on a few topics assigned --Look at yourself as an independent observer and not ful to look at security studies through the lens of peace shops have been held thus far, one in features interactions within subject to us. partisan to any side giving the other side a disadvantage journalism September last year, and one in Janu- matter areas (agriculture, economy, --In December, I did a story … holding both the Indian and --I have stopped writing words like Hindus and Muslims ary this year. environment, health) as well as more The regular online interaction and broad areas like multimedia produc- training sessions helped all of us Pakistan states accountable for the region’s volatility and during conflicts, instead say two groups of different reli- The two pieces below were written by tion and peace journalism. to understand the issues and most not just peddling one state’s narrative gion a Pakistani and an Indian participant importantly look for solutions through --Restrained using inflammatory words --I write about climate change often and I’m much more in the project, which will culminate In the very first interactions with orga- carefully created articles covering all mindful now of reiterating how both the issues and --More selective about language/ tend to do more with a face to face workshop later in nizers Susan Kriefels and Carolyn Egu- the cross-border identical topics. solutions have to involve multiple countries personalize stories/talk about people’s life 2021 in Kathmandu, Nepal. chi from EWC and presenters Stephen Franklin, Steven Youngblood, Randall Personally, I am very much excited to --Be careful reporting on conflict zone --Working on cross border water conflict but Smith, and Steve Rice, and discussions finish the story assignments quickly, avoiding term “Indian Water Aggression” with selected fellow journalists from meet everyone in Kathmandu later --Fact checking and excluding all hate incidents both India and Pakistan, I realised that this year, and take forward the col- this project was going to be one of the laboration to a new level where we all from Pg 12 best collaborations I have ever done in become the change agents to estab- “This is really a nice city. You should Pakistan, India Youngblood. Who knew the project my entire professional career. lish peace in the South Asia region. visit Lucknow,” wrote Biswajeet Ban- It is amazing that East-West Centdf - a was also an opportunity to make --Pratyush Ranjan nerjee project based in Honolulu, Hawaii – friends? For me, it was the first interaction would be the platform to give journal- with anyone from Pakistan, and the “I wish I could. Is there an Urdu Shia ists in neighboring countries an oppor- Susan Kreifels, Media Programs Man- An Indian Perspective A Pakistani perspective continuous discussion with them on College in Lucknow? My father used to tunity to connect. ager of EWC, smiled as she encour- “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can “Lucknow (India) is cold now….I cross-border issues and their solutions study there,” I wrote back. aged journalists from both countries only be achieved by understanding.” believe Karachi is comfortable,” said made me think that people from both When I was selected by EWC, I to brainstorm and produce interesting --Albert Einstein Biswajeet Bannerjee while we chat- countries have been facing almost the “Yes, there is a Shia College in Luc- thought it would be a series of work- stories. “There is a higher court than courts ted online while discussing a story we same issues for ages. were working on. know. It is still there and has a good shops conducted online due to Covid of justice, and that is the court of reputation,” Bannerjee wrote. “I had a and lockdown, it will be impersonal Participating in this project has made conscience. It supersedes all other The EWC team which initiated the “Yes, we have mild winters compared hunch that you have a link with Uttar and routine. Happily, I was proved me realize making peace is tough and courts.” --Mahatma Gandhi project brought together 80 selected to elsewhere.” I wrote. “My father Pradesh and Lucknow…...” wrong when suddenly faces on the is an ongoing process. Peace journal- “Journalism is in fact history on the journalists on a single platform to used to live in Lucknow when he was computer screen became familiar and ism is a tough job but someone has to run.” --Thomas Griffith brainstorm, ideate, and work on a child. He loved that city.” This short online discussion brought everyone comfortably interacted. do it. cross-border topics directly related to two strangers in different countries, These three quotes sum up the mean- the people living on both sides of the neither of whom ever visited the One primary focus of the project was And that is exactly what Kreifels has ing of journalism, how it should work Continued on next page peace journalism, taught by Steven border. other’s country, some common things. Continued on next page pg 12 www.park.edu/peacecenter Vol 10, No. 1 pg 13

Continued on next page

April 2021 April 2021 Slow journalism is an effort to develop a form of truth- tains status quo and exclusionary systems of knowledge Slow from Pg 14 telling with room for nuance and complexity, also incor- construction. of dissent. This means understanding democracy as a con- these normative structures operate is to create the space porating ideas of co-production and participation. This versation that should not aim for closure. Because democ- to change them. counters the normative ethos of modern-day journalism, This perspective on knowledge dissemination has a long racy is a political structure based on creating conversation history. Consider the founding of the public library sys- which is intent on ‘breaking’ news to disseminate infor- around best societal practices, ending this conversation As an act of speaking peace into existence through telling tem in the United Kingdom—In 1850, a parliamentary act mation quickly. This rapid and widespread dissemination means ending the opportunity for participation. Think- the stories of peacebuilding and considering how peace was passed making libraries open to the public. This was of information is ing of journalism as an effort to create spaces for ongoing might be maintained, the act of developing a slow journal- done out of a desire to give working class people access to often seen as a conversations means accepting a form of journalism that ism of peace is a radical step towards the more peaceful information and ‘culture.’ However, this still maintained a pillar of democracy does not seek quick conclusions. Walt Harrington argues world that can be. Speaking of a sense of slowness is a S L O W hierarchical class system. The working class was invited to through creating that conducting journalism quickly causes writers “to fall radical choice to remove understanding from traditional participate in a construction of culture of which they were Slow journalism can a more informed back on well-worn themes and observations—interpretive linear temporality and traditional notions of progress. This not allowed a say. citizenry. However, cliches” and does allow “the time or frame of mind to see removal allows for transformation. be valuable peace tool this assumes that anything beyond that.” understanding is Contextualizing this understanding of knowledge-building Discussions of based on information that is objective and concrete. This in the democratic theory of Jacques Rancière and Chantal This is a system of understanding I attempt in my own the potential of view is particularly difficult when considering reporting on Mouffe offers a framework for understanding the revolu- doctoral work. Before the coronavirus pandemic, I was this transforma- Conducting a more narra- tionary nature of a ‘slow’ journalism for peace. Rancière peacebuilding efforts and from societies affected by con- conducting anthropological fieldwork in Germany. My tive space are “tive and co-produced style of flict, which often are consumed by differing and conten- understands democracy as working against the privatiza- PhD thesis aims to understand how peacebuilding efforts beginning in the tious understandings of societal realities. tion of society. Rather than thinking of this as more State can be more participatory and democratic. My fieldwork peacebuilding journalism creates space for involvement in society, he sees this as more opportunity consisted primarily of conducting qualitative ethnographic field. Critiques of conversation. This is not to suggest that truth is malleable but rather to for individual citizen involvement in the State. In his semi- interviews with former political prisoners incarcerated ‘fast’ journalism say that the most objective, or at least complete, truths nal text Hatred of Democracy, he describes this as a pro- within the Cold War-era East Germany, the German Demo- addressed by the cess of “enlarging the public sphere.” An essential part of are those that are co-produced and create room for dis- cratic Republic (GDR). The interviews conducted were slow journalism movement mirror critiques of top-down” this process, according to Mouffe, is the institutionalization cussion and various perspectives. Access to information, done based on structured dialogue, rather than a more peacebuilding efforts. From Transitional to Transformative without the ability to also participate in contributing to Continued on next page traditional semi-structured or structured interview format. Justice, a recent collection of papers edited by Paul Gready that information, as a pillar of democratic practice main- In this style, interview length is dictated by the participant and Simon Robins, addresses a critique that transitional from Pg 13 and multiple interviews are conducted with a single par- justice efforts lack opportunity for participation. This cre- Pakistan, India ticipant. Although I focused each interview around similar ates a problematic space in peacebuilding efforts that, in been working on, building peace in for journalists from both sides par- We also met some amazing Indian themes, the conversation’s direction was heavily dictated the interest of transitioning a society out of a violent and this region through projects of the ticipating in this project. And it was women journalists who helped me by the interviewee and what they thought was important difficult past, often disenfranchises average citizens by EWC. These projects help journalists heartening to see mature approach with the story- Zeba Warsi and Shreya for me to know and understand in my research. limiting room for individualized perspectives. to see the story from other side and from both sides. In fact, it was nice to Pareek. improve the way they have been do- see how many participants highlighted This is an act of collaborative knowledge production and a Creating journalistic efforts for the purpose of sharing sto- ing journalism. The EWC’s cross border journalism some stories from each side which movement away from hierarchical preferences of knowl- ries and reaching conclusions quickly leaves little space to they thought did not adhere to the edge from certain sources over others. It is an acknowl- consider alternative narratives. Conducting a more narra- Building peace is harder than war. project has not only helped to im- rules of PJ and could have been done edgement that the job of the anthropologist is not to act tive and co-produced style of journalism creates space for But Susan and experts from the EWC prove the way journalism is done for in a better way. as a singular voice producing ostensibly objective knowl- conversation and for the development of new ideas that enable journalists from Pakistan and cross border stories, but (the peace journalism instruction) also made us edge but to reflexively engage in the knowledge building Galtung argues are necessary for sustained peace. India to see the finer elements of sto- It is evident that despite being patri- aware of how we report local sto- process while being critical of one’s own preconceived ries that are otherwise hidden below otic, they want to work towards peace assumptions. Using this style places importance on the in- The COVID 19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns and the rhetoric. and build bridges. dividual narrative as an essential part of building pluralistic other disruptions have colloquially been called ‘The Great Pause.’ This temporal framing of our collective global And soon as South Asians and nuanced societal understanding, particularly in places Peace journalism is an reality is echoed in calls to ‘restart’ economies. It’s as if usually do, we had a What- with a contentious history and divided past. This follows a important tool to help try normal as we know it were simply put on pause and we’re sApp Group which began trend in contemporary anthropology towards viewing the to mend relationships. all fumbling for ways to press ‘play’ again. Understanding buzzing from the time it ries that are sensitive. With delicate work of the ethnographer as a collaborative project in un- Journalists have a duty the pandemic as a ‘pause’ removes a sense of urgency was created. relations between our two countries, derstanding humanity with the participants. This collabor- to continue to speak above the din of ative approach problematizes the observer: subject binary from problems that should feel urgent—racism, climate peace journalism is helping us to hate in the region. The second friend I made was Pra- tackle sensitive stories more carefully, endemic of traditional colonial ethnographic practice. change, etc. Considering this period an opportunity for slowness, rather than a pause in normal, offers space for tyush Ranjan, a fellow fact checker reporting facts without provocation. The EWC, Susan Kreifels, and the Johan Galtung argues that to reach a state of ‘positive’ us to reconsider if we want to press play again on our old and journalist, had shared a story he whole team should be commended peace, it is necessary to examine every day dominant lives. By framing our worldviews in linear temporality, we needed fact checked about Pakistan During the initial days of the project, for efforts to bring peace in the region structures that perpetuate structural violence and to limit the potential for transformation. Developing a slow and I volunteered. This was an inter- the Indian farmers’ protest was going and we hope this project continues for introduce new ideas for changing or dismantling these journalism to report on and discuss peacebuilding efforts esting experience. As well as Vijay on. Pakistan had a temple attack. And years to come to help build peace and structures. In Galtung’s understanding, structural violence is a step towards this transformative framework. who has some great stories we are there were some incidents across the lifelong friendships. collaborating on. Line of Control (LoC). This was a test is, at its very core, exclusion from participation. It is a --Laney Lenox --Lubna Jerar limiting of potential. To slow down from the pace in which pg 14 www.park.edu/peacecenter Vol 10, No. 1 pg 15 April 2021 April 2021 Anti-refugee narratives thrive in Turkey Refugee from Pg 16 Mülteci Medyası or Refugee Media is ally think that we are in very needy Fostrering a more positive, truthful discussion a web platform founded by refugees, situations, and they think that we journalists, and refugee rights advo- are doing something just to get help. Peace journalism focusing cates, committed to creating a me- Actually, we are just trying to keep our on“ building compassion and dia perspective focusing on refugee lives, trying to stand on our own feet.” understanding needs to be rights, reducing hate speech in the media that hinders social harmony, Riva is among the lucky few who have prioritized by...media. and enabling refugees to produce and received a platform to tell their stories publish their own news, tell their own from their own perspectives. In what violent solutions stories and shape their own narra- other ways can Turkish media practice ” tives. Civil society organizations such peace journalism when building narra- ● Report nonviolent initiatives that as the Association for Solidarity with tives around refugee issues? take place at the grassroots level and Asylum Seekers and Migrants (SGDD- follow the resolution, reconstruction, ASAM) and İGAM have consistently Johan Galtung and Jake Lynch came and reconciliation phases. run campaigns and produced digital up with a few basic principles that can content to present alternative per- serve as guidance for those building Of course, peace journalism favors spectives on the Syrian refugee crisis narratives and molding public opinion. truth, as any form of journalism and Turkey’s role as a host country. To foster more compassion and give should. Reporters must be as vera- Nonetheless, the declining state of voice to the voiceless, peace journal- cious as possible when reporting the the Turkish economy, exacerbated by ists should: facts. However, peace journalism also the advent of the Covid pandemic, has urges us as the audience to contem- ● Explore the formation of conflicts: plate how observers, reporters, and led to a rise in anti-refugee sentiment who are the parties involved; what are among local host communities. storytellers have come to encounter their goals; what is the socio-political the particular facts, and how these In this context, peace journalism and cultural context of the conflict; particular facts have come to meet focusing on building compassion and what are the visible and invisible them. For this reason, in our roles understanding needs to be prioritized manifestations of violence; both as producers and consumers of Just before the local elections in and how can a more positive and between June 2017 and November media narratives, we must be aware March 2019, İlay Aksoy, a founder of truthful discussion be fostered? 2018, finding that there were 17,814 by progressive media platforms in ● Avoid the dehumanization of the order to highlight the advantages and of the power dynamics at play in the the nationalist İyi Party and mayoral news articles related to refugees, parties involved and expose their representation and framing of the candidate for Istanbul’s Fatih Munici- The most basic definition of a narra- most of which associated them with opportunities that refugee popula- interests; tive is a record or an account of inter- tions bring to host countries. More- lives and stories of disadvantaged pality, displayed campaign banners violence and crime. Turkish digital communities, especially refugees. reading, “We will not concede Fatih to connected events, simply defined as a news platform Ahval has also reported over, an authentic representation of ● Offer nonviolent responses to con- --Rukmini Banerjee the Syrians” throughout the busiest story. The cognitive wiring of human on anti-refugee rhetoric voiced by the imminent dangers and hardships flict and alternatives to militarised/ points of the district. Her subsequent beings leads us to believe stories that mainstream political leaders, as seen faced by the refugee community on a campaign speeches, rallies, and social we hear multiple times. The media in the April 2019 social media posts daily basis would also go a long way media posts came to employ the therefore plays a critical role in com- of Ümit Özdağ, Istanbul’s deputy for in generating a sense of empathy same tenor of xenophobic language, munications: in building (or disman- the center-right opposition İyi Party. with refugees among host commu- blaming the Syrian refugee communi- tling) narratives that hold significant In his posts, Özdağ claimed that 1 nities. In a 2018 blog post written ty for Turkey’s economic and societal power to sway the beliefs that the million Syrian refugees had entered for the International Youth Founda- woes. audience considers to be truths. the workforce while 6 million Turks tion, Riva Demaski, a Syrian refugee remained unemployed. He went on to in Istanbul describes the hardships While official complaints were filed In 2019, the Hrant Dink Foundation’s rebuke Syrian workers for protesting faced by her family in trying to find against her for inciting public hatred, Hate Speech and Discriminatory against unfair treatment from their employment because neither of them enmity, and discrimitaion, many me- Discourse in Media Report found employers, invoking the populist “love spoke Turkish. Riva eventually took dia outlets opted instead to amplify that Syrian refugees in Turkey were it or leave it” maxim that is widely Turkish language classes at Mülteciler her divisive message that “actually, it consistently associated with “crimi- observed in many immigrant and refu- Derneği (Refugees Association) and is the Syrians who pose the existential nal actions such as murder, theft and gee hosting nations. was eventually able to get a job that threat”. Such is just one of the many harassment,” blamed for Turkey’s helped her support her family. “With- instances of anti-refugee narratives declining economy, and labeled as a Currently, there are only a handful of in this process,” writes Riva, “I also employed in nationalist/nativist “threat” against Turkey’s demographic civil society organizations in Turkey had the opportunity to establish nice Opposite page, top: Vote to care about Refugees – Refugee Action protest 27 political rhetoric and bolstered by structure. Furthermore, the Research that focus on the representation of friendships. I have seen people help July 2013 Melbourne by John Englart (Takver) is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. right-wing media. What then are the Center on Asylum and Migration refugee voices in mainstream media. each other and approach each other Above: The direct translation of the banner is, “We will not concede Fatih (a city dominant narratives in Turkish media (İGAM) released a report on the without prejudice. Still, people gener- in Turkey) to the Syrians.” This phrase was used by Ilay Aksoy, a mayoral candi- regarding refugees and immigrants, Turkish media’s coverage of refugees Continued on next page date from Turkey’s Iyi Party, during her election campaign. pg 16 www.park.edu/peacecenter Vol 10, No. 1 pg 17

April 2021 April 2021 Social media is a form of electronic communication tool, views. Finally, it does not shut the door of dialogue and Nigeriafromfrom Pg Pg 18 18 through which human beings can create and share content conversation. outlets. Thanks to the constant evolution of information only allegations, no competent court had proven them that will enable for social networking. In doing this, people communication technology, which has brought forth free guilty of the alleged offences. The alarming rate of abuses on social media platforms use dedicated websites and applications to interact with fact - checking platforms that are very effective for use in in Nigeria should give concern to the call for adherence other users, and find people with similar interests. This authenticating pieces of information. The above three instances are clear cases of individu- assertion is gradually eroding young people in Nigeria, as to ethical standards in its usage by all users, especially als who were falsely accused, and without consent, their it seem like they are deviating from the social networking those without journalistic training. The fact that one uses A friend of mine in the university once saw his photo private data were collected and used online. This is wrong. attribute, which is the most important in social media usage, the social media to transmit information to an audience which he shared on Facebook informing his friends about Inordinate actions like the above give credit to the call for to using social media as a tool for attacking, abusing, and (homogenous or heterogeneous), qualifies the user as an accident he survived. But famous Nigerian , data protection or hate speech laws, which is needed to invading the privacy of others. a media practitioner. In the media world, there are two without his consent, used that picture of his, and framed protect individual and private data that do not clash with categories, the professionals and practitioners. A media a different narrative around it saying he got the wound the public interest. Although the constitution of Nigeria It is so popular to witness on social media platforms of some user can be a professional (as a result of the training) or where he was caught with another man’s wife, and for a lays emphasis on the right to privacy and private property, Nigerians, who, when asked a simple question, respond a practitioner (as a result of the practice, even without long while people associated him with this wrong frame. It the above instances seem to contravene the constitution. with com- a formal training). But the double title of a professional had to take some of us who knew what happened, to go to But because Nigerians are yet to embrace fully the culture ments that and practitioner can as well falls on those who as a result the various platforms, where the ridiculous frame up was of litigation, individuals seem to allow those who unjustly “Ugly Threads” denote of their training, are involved in the practice, mostly published and debunked the lies. Indeed, he was strong trample on these constitutional right of theirs to evade curses, journalists. In other words, the demands of adhering to enough to have survived it, because he had colleagues justice. Demonizing patterns in abuses, ethics in the use of social media while sharing of informa- who assisted him in countering the incorrect viral narrative and things tion, does not exclude practitioners (which is a category about his photo. Social media have become an extension of our lives and that are most social media users fall into). people and organisations no longer rely on the content of Nigerian social media not con- The same could not be said about a young Nigerian man, character alone to judge their associates, they now include nected to Some social media users have argued that emphasis- whose name and photo was added on the tweet of a judging by the contents they see their associates exhibit the question asked. Reacting to this ugly thread, Godswill ing ethical standards will be about holding back the popular blogger, who had called on people to add names online. Users need to see the social media as a platform Agbagwa wrote on his Facebook timeline that “many Nigeri- truth and trampling on their right to freedom of speech. of those who they feel are rapists. The young man was for enriching human interaction and connection, and thus, ans can’t engage in logical arguments without digressing or These are common relational standards that are already later reported to avoid using it to demonise others or glorifying hate and using ad hominem.” obtainable in the society. They include: truthfulness and have committed contents that are capable of causing direct or indirect accuracy (confirming and giving all the relevant facts), suicide because harm, especially those that put people down. Most times I Prior to 2015 elections in Nigeria, the opposition party was fairness and impartiality (presenting all sides to the he could not bear wonder if these Nigerians in all honesty can say these hor- prone to using comments that demonise the ruling party, story), humanity (doing no harm to the lives of people the unwarranted rible rantings I see on social media to the same person(s) if as far as they were concerned, there was absolutely noth- with words and images), and accountability (correcting condemnations, it were to be in a face – to – face situation. ing good about the then ruling party, and the social media errors and expressing of regret when at fault). The above hate and threat was the main platform through which the demonization standards are meant for media users who involve them- targeted at him Making judgments and demonising people even without was fostered. Since 2015, the opposition has been in power selves in the sphere of information transmission. on the social me- hearing their own side of the story is unbecoming of a and nothing seems to have changed. The adverse effect of dia as a result of responsible person. No doubt, these inordinate views may Inasmuch as the social media is a very handy platform preferring demonising to constructive criticism is that, it the accusation. have the intention of correcting a perceived error, but the increases the bitterness within, unconsciously blinding us for use to freely air views, there is a responsibility at- words and styles been adopted end up tearing apart those from seeing concessions to hold unto and examine issues tached to the freedom it offers, which in this regard con- There was also they seek to correct or those whose views are different. properly, so as to proffer a lasting solution. It also distorts cerns not using it to propagate contents that are capable the case of a According to Venatius Agbasiere, “correcting or disagree- our sense of understanding and compromise, such that we of causing harm. Although there is a right to freedom of social media ing with people is not the issue but how we go about it begin to see and feel that the world and those in it, should speech, at the same time, it does not allow for irrespon- user in Nigeria who on Facebook publicly stated that he matters.” Thus, attacking is never going to yield any posi- operate in a particular way and anything contrary to that sibility and recklessness. Even when apologies are of- had hacked the social media account of a certain pastor, tive impact. Suggesting a perfect approach to correcting, must be annihilated. fered to mitigate the harm, they usually do not go as far invaded his private messages, and published the private Venatius wrote on his Facebook timeline saying it is best as the harm already done. This is why the ethics of media chats and photos the pastor shared with some supposed done “respectfully and in charity with utmost humility and Maybe the error is that many social media users are yet to usage emphasis on its responsible usage. married female members of his congregation. It was so recognizing that none of us is perfect or know it all.” understand the difference between demonising and criticis- disgusting to see how social media users in Nigeria, were Adhering to ethical standards are not in any way stop- ing constructively. The two are different from each other. In sharing and making despairing comments to demonise That a particular view and lifestyle is commonly obtained, ping constructive criticisms, neither do they censor users demonising, there is the use of abuse, hate, threat, conspir- the pastor, the members and surprisingly, congratulating do not authenticate the absence or annihilation of differ- in their freedom to express themselves, rather they acies and personal attacks to shut the door of dialogue and the hacker for invading the privacy of other people. It was ences. Those who are not emotionally strong, who cannot look at maintaining stability and equity, which are key to conversation. It also uses unconnected ideas to divert the troubling to see the number of young Nigerians who did bear the pressure of having their personality maligned individual and collective development. Observing ethical conversation under review, as well as fostering the presence not see the action of the hacker to be wrong. There have online, have in many occasions taken their lives offline. provisions or principles while using the social media, de- of words that crave to make people and views that are dif- been many occasions where people who were alleged to Nigerians and indeed all users of the social media need mand that in transmitting of information, users should be ferent appear inferior. In constructive criticism, there is the have committed an offence, had their pictures and names to understand that there are never going to be enough critical, thus, always consider the facts, and check to see use of facts to debunk conspiracies and justify ideas under published on social media and going through the com- standards that will enforce total ethical adherence, unless that published contents are from reputable persons and review and it abhors use of abusive, hateful, threatening ment sections, the level of ignorance, bigotry, hate, blame, we allow our sense of love and fairness to be the ultimate views or words to prove a point. It is devoid of personal at- and judgment are so disturbing. Meanwhile, those were guide in our online interactions. tack and makes effort to understand and respect different Continued on next page --Innocent Umezuruike Iroaganachi pg 18 www.park.edu/peacecenter Vol 10, No. 1 pg 19 April 2021 April 2021 from Pg 20 In news conferences, Trump explicitly Humanize News media fail to humanize Covid-19 deaths and repeatedly labeled COVID-19 “the What is clear is a frustration over the lated in segregated communities and Coverage leads to lack of empathy China virus.” It is believed to have global pandemic doing more damage low-paying jobs for generations. And Later this year, people will gather near the global coronavirus pandemic has our neighbors, our classmates, our co- originated in Wuhan, China, but it is to the world and U.S. economies since that’s when they could find work. downtown to commemorate the 114 killed more than half-a-million people workers, our family. a global health problem not attrib- the Great Depression, slamming shut The news media failure to tell us lives lost and more than 200 injured in the United States and 2.5 million uted to any one country or group of doors of hotels, restaurants and travel about the human losses has added to when two skywalks collapsed on July people throughout the planet. More There is not that same sense of con- people. Trump knew how deadly the industries. The pandemic also ex- the diminishing amount of social capi- 17, 1981, at what then was the Hyatt than 28 million people in the U.S. nection now in this coronavirus era of virus was in February 2020 but chose posed the grotesque income, wealth, tal in the U.S., connecting people to Regency Kansas City Hotel. have tested positive for COVID-19, social distancing, staying away from to play it down, saying he didn’t “want health, housing, education and high others with shared experiences. Social and more than 110.9 million people public places and masking. to create a panic.” tech disparities in the United States. capital was devastatingly low before It was supposed to have been a fes- throughout the world. tive, Friday night tea dance in the The United States was just as divided Trump and his followers even po- COVID-19 has hit African American, the pandemic so that empathizing attractive atrium lobby, drawing Yet except for a few profiles of indi- then as now with coast-to-coast liticized wearing a facial mask for Latinx and Native American communi- with others’ suffering, sorrow and loss hundreds of partiers to the fancy, viduals lost to the pandemic, the news protests that enveloped many cities self-protection and the protection of ties hardest with those who have test- has been difficult in this age of social new, 40-story hotel. But the fourth- media have failed horribly to give the and college campuses. The nation was others. To them, not wearing a mask ed positive for the virus becoming the media, self-checkouts, internet shop- and second-floor elevated walkways public a complete and in-depth sense undeniably split into doves, protest- was an assertion of their freedom. sickest and more likely to die from it, ping and home deliveries. packed with partiers across the ex- of this loss. We have not read in news- ing for peace, and hawks, insisting The inaction and division served to leaving behind survivors to pick up the That has to change as the nation gears pansive lobby failed, pancaking onto papers, magazines or on the Web, that the bloodshed was justified to put the U.S. out front among nations pieces. Black, Latinx and Native Ameri- up and works through problems in the each other, and then the lobby floor heard on radio or podcasts, or seen maintain democracy and free markets in the world for having the most cans also traditionally have been the distribution of vaccines to inoculate crushing people to death. on television or the Web details about worldwide. But each side had in mind cases of the coronavirus and the most least likely to receive coverage from the population against the continuing the many hundreds of thousands of the sacrifice of U.S. soldiers. deaths. Other nations do not want to the mainstream press. The Kansas spread of the coronavirus as well as its individuals whose lives have been follow that lead any more than they City Star’s own historic Dec. 20, 2020, The news media, in the last year as many and possibly more deadly muta- cut short by COVID-19. That lack of would want their political leaders — front-page apology and series about The lack of information has the COVID-19 death toll has climbed, tions. With the vaccines has to come information has kept people from fully as Trump did on Jan. 6, 2021, — to its 140 years of deplorable coverage “ have readily pointed out the connec- a re-connection of Americans to each kept people from fully empa- empathizing with the individuals who provoke a mob of thousands to surge of the Black community explains that. tion between the United States’ vari- other and people elsewhere, an end thizing with (victims). have died and the mourning survivors onto their capitols in a riot to disrupt The coast-to-coast news media failure ous war casualties and the mounting to the disparities the virus exposed they have left behind. the certification of a presidential elec- has fed the national life-threatening number of those killed by the pan- and a peace-driven sense of empathy I had the day off because it was my tion. A peaceful transition of power denial that the coronavirus is only as demic. It was in April 2020 that the for all others. 26th birthday. But I went into work” at U.S. Baby Boomers — born between has to rule all nations as well as a uni- bad as the flu or is a political hoax. It 1946 and 1964 — can relate to this. A number of people killed in the United The Kansas City Times-Star immedi- fied effort to control Covid-19. has created a refusal among many to The virus doesn’t discriminate, and Vietnam War-era fact because of the States from the coronavirus surpassed ately after seeing the bulletin on TV believe that anyone could be victim- neither should people in this nation exhaustive news media coverage of the number of Americans who died Until Joe Biden became U.S. president news. As a reporter/photographer ized by it. or the world. The vaccines have to the bloody conflict was that individu- in Vietnam. U.S. losses in World War on Jan. 20, 2021, the U.S. had no only three years out of the Univer- be distributed equitably and not go als who were alive at the time knew I were 116,516; the U.S. coronavirus cohesive plan to get the coronavirus Instead of being united in getting sity of Missouri-Columbia School of mostly to the wealthiest, whitest at least one person from their high death toll of 116,567 topped that by under control and no news media sto- COVID-19 under control, the U.S has Journalism, I spent all night, and then neighborhoods in the U.S. and wealth- school or community who served in mid-June 2020. More than 405,390 ries chronicling the depth of the loss. suffered a terrible population fatigue the next morning helping to cover the iest Western nations of the world. Vietnam as well as individuals who U.S. service personnel died in World tragedy. The next day, I led a team of people being exhaust- We have to care about others so that died during the war allegedly to stop War II; the coronavirus death toll of reporters assigned to do news ed of social distancing, this tragedy ushers in better health the “domino effect” of Communism’s topped that in January 2021, claiming stories on each person who died in wearing masks, staying and a lasting peace. We must show spread. That’s because the local, re- 405,400 people. what was supposed to have been a home to remain out of that we care about the well-being of gional and national press reported the fun night out. The stories were more The difference between now and the harm’s way, not going ourselves. than obituaries, which ran separately, deaths of more than 58,300 Ameri- out to drink, eat or for cans killed in Vietnam. Vietnam War-era was the news media because the individuals who perished did their job of humanizing the losses entertainment and not The downside of not caring, of not had their lives cut terribly short by traveling. Those condi- showing empathy is the coronavirus The press reported that from August so that everyone could empathize what turned out to be the deadliest, tions may be fairly new death toll in the U.S. could within 1964 to May 1975, more than 2.7 more closely with the tragedy. The non-deliberate structural collapse in to white America, but a year rise to eclipse the estimated million Americans, or 9.7 percent combat losses were senseless, but so U.S. history. The ongoing and investi- because of this country’s 620,000 who were killed during the of that generation of young adults, are the losses from the virus because gative reporting by the two newspa- long history of racism, Civil War. It was a time of great divi- served in Vietnam. The names of the U.S. response was mishandled. pers earned them a Pulitzer Prize for bigotry and discrimina- sion in the United States with blood- those killed appear on the Vietnam Local Reporting in 1982. tion, people of color shed over slavery. Veterans Memorial in Washington, Part of the blame lies with then-Pres- have suffered the vio- D.C. They are the ones individuals look ident Donald Trump, who from the That journalistic duty of telling the lence of social distanc- Surely no one wants to repeat such a up first when we visit the memorial, start tried to minimize, politicize and public about the wholesome lives cut ing, wearing “masks” brutal part of the past. Surely, we are opened in 1982. We knew them; we cover up the mounting U.S. numbers. tragically short is what the nation and of being other than better than that. could identify with them; they were world have needed the last year as Continued on next page themselves and kept iso- --Lewis Diuguid pg 20 www.park.edu/peacecenter Vol 10, No. 1 pg 21 April 2021 Afghan from Pg 22 In November 2020, Mediothek Afghanistan and for a democratic and tolerant culture, and strength- the GIZ- Civil Peace Service Program in Afghanistan en civil society to facilitate peace in Afghanistan. jointly have conducted a one day conference in It was founded in 1993 in Germany with the aim Kabul. The event was attended by media activists, of strengthening education, preserving cultural civil society activists, journalists and government heritage and promoting a peaceful future for the officials. They have been spoken about the con- Afghan people. tents of this manual for Afghan journalists. --Masoud Momin Mediothek is committed to educate people, work

Mediothek Afghanistan publishes PJ guide Mediothek Afghanistan with the support of GIZ- --Political Propaganda in the Afghan media- Mrs. Civil Peace Service Program in Afghanistan has Homaira Saqib, writer and journalist published a manual entitled, ”Peace and War Journalism.” This manual is written and compiled --The Impact of Media on Social Security in Afghan- istan- Mr. Mustafa Aqili, writer and journalist by Masoud Momin, freelance peace journalism Mediothek trainer and Mrs. Gulbibi Joya, university lecturer launches the and national advisor for civil society (CPS). --War and Peace Journalism and the Afghan Media- Mr. Mohammad Ishaq Fayez, writer and journalist peace journal- ism guide at a This manual consists of three chapters and it took one day event at about two years to write this manual. The first and --Rumors and the Afghan Media- Mr. Seyed Noorul- Balkh University. the second chapters of this book are about the lain Naween, journalist concepts of War and Peace Journalism in the times --Reporting on War and Violence in the Afghan me- of peace and war. In these sections, the views and dia- Mr. Mahmoud Mobaarez, writer and journalist researches of Dr. Johan Galtung, Dr. Jake Lynch, An- nabel McGoldrick, and Steven Youngblood as pio- This manual provides guidelines and tools for Af- neers of peace journalism and conflict studies have ghan journalists to look deeper into peace and war been explained. The third chapter of this manual issues in Afghanistan and later play a responsible consists of six scholarly articles which have been role in promoting the values of peace in Afghan written by some Afghan writers and journalists. society. It has been published according to the internal needs of the Afghan media. The target The titles of these articles are: audiences of this manual are Afghan journalists, --Journalism Ethics and the Promotion of Violence reporters and journalism students. Currently, the in the Afghan Media- Mr. Mohammad Siddiq Zaliq, contents of this manual are taught for students at writer and journalist the Balkh University, Faculty of Journalism.

Continued on next page pg 22 www.park.edu/peacecenter Vol 10, No. 1 pg 23 April 2021 PJ needed to set tone for peace in Ethiopia nic Amhara civilians in border town of community to condemn TPLF.” One Bias, jingoism seen in May Khadra, the reporter reported as needn’t look beyond the lead of this traditional reports (though) they were ethnic Tigrayans story to divine its approach: “The and were killed the national defense heinous and reprehensible massacre It is with great alarm that I viewed the force. This is totally a fake information committed against innocent civilians violent conflict unfold in Ethiopia late which is aimed at disinforming the in Mykadra by TPLF is clearly a grave last year. I spent the spring, 2018 se- international community.” violation of the most basic norms of mester as a State Department Senior international law.” Subject Specialist at the University of My second colleague whom I’m call- Gondar, near Ethiopia’s Tigray region ing Kaleb agreed. He said, “Most of The same jingoism can be found in from where the conflict originated. I international news is biased... This is at least one Tigrayan media outlet, traveled throughout the country, in- not civil war. It is a military operation… Tigray Online (http://www.tigraion- cluding to Mekelle, the capital of the I also believe that Tigrayan brothers line.com/) in stories titled “Barbaric- Tigray region. and sisters are ill informed and highly Genocidal Ethnic Cleansing, Extreme influenced by TPLF’s (the ruling party Savagery, in Ethiopia,” “(Ethiopian As a peace journalist, I am as always in Tigray) propaganda and disinforma- leaders) Abiy Ahmed and Esayas concerned with the news media and tion. TPLF has created a false narrative Afewerki Planned and Started a Joint their coverage of the conflict. Are in the country that Amhara (the re- War against the Innocent People of Ti- they accurately reflecting the situa- gion bordering Tigray, which includes grai,” and “Ethiopians fleeing to Sudan tion in Ethiopia? Are they fanning the Gondar) is chauvinist.” describe air strikes, machete killings flames of conflict, or instead are they in Tigray.” This last story includes the practicing peace journalism? Media coverage by Ethiopian outlets quote, “They killed anyone who said is also a concern. At the local level I called upon two of my Ethiopian they were Tigrayan. They stole our during any conflict, peace journalism colleagues to help me make sense of money, our cattle, and our crops from asks whether local media reports are the media coverage. I’ve decided not our homes...” flag waving, jingoistic propaganda to use their names, out of respect for (traditional war reporting), or whether Instead of this traditional reporting, their privacy. they are more balanced and give local peace journalists would critically First, regarding international cover- residents a chance to consider non- analyze propaganda, and instead age, both of my colleagues are critical violent responses to conflict. seek to balance stories with reports of the news media. My colleague from all sides. PJ stories would reject A quick perusal of several Ethiopian whom I’ll call Abel said, “some of the inflammatory language (“barbaric,” news sources as the conflict unfolded international reporting has been sur- “innocent people,” “savagery,” “ma- late in 2020 revealed the prevalence prisingly incomplete and partisan. The chete killings”) and instead use more of traditional war reporting. (Keep in national defense forces were engaged straightforward, less anger-inducing mind that there are only a few sources in respecting rule of law in the defiant verbiage. PJ would give a voice to in English, so this analysis is severely Tigray Liberation Front Forces. While everyday people impacted by the limited.) The Ethiopia this was the fact many news organiza- conflict, without exploiting them for for example, uncritically parrots gov- tions such as Al Jazeera, Foreign Policy partisan purposes. Peace journalists ernment information in stories titled Magazine, the BBC and The Guardian would also examine the source of the “Inhabitants of Addis Ababa Express represented the event as a brink of conflict, and lead societal discussions Support for National Defense Force,” civil war. This is totally out of context about potential solutions. “Ethiopians Honor Defense Force,” and incomplete.” and “Reports, Footages Claiming Peace journalism alone won’t end He continued, “The other dishon- Airstrike on City of Mekelle (in Tigray the violence in Ethiopia, but can help est news come from Reuters news region) False.” Ethiopia Zare does the erect a foundation upon which peace agency. While the Tigrayan Liberation same in stories like “The Ethiopian can someday be built. forces have killed more than 500 eth- government asked the international --Steven Youngblood

In the October edition: -More on India-Pak pjct -Refugee rept project ©2021 by Park University pg 24 www.park.edu/peacecenter