IN THIS ISSUE • PJ and elections in Zimbabwe • Dispatches from Lebanon, South Africa, Cameroon, India • Can social media build peace? Design by Lexus Brown, Park University Special Report: Journalists worldwide combat Threats, Violence A publication of the Center for Global Peace Journalism at Park University Vol 7 No. 2 - October 2018 October 2018 October 2018 Contents Can journalists safely practice their craft? 3 Nigeria, Kashmir 14 Italy After editor’s murder, is Can journalists remain safe? Spaces of War, War of Spaces Boko Haram, Nigerian officials hunt journalists PJ possible in Kashmir? The Peace Journalist is a semi- 16 U.S. By Ibanga Isine and Jacob Udo-Udo Jacob By Steven Youngblood annual publication of the Center Trip for Peace traverses country for Global Peace Journalism at Park “My love for Nigeria has been a compel- After a reknowned journalist’s murder, is peace journalism University in Parkville, Missouri. The 18 South Africa ling impetus in charting the course of my dead in Kashmir? Peace Journalist is dedicated to dis- Leaders gather, analyze PJ life, courageous in the face of adversities, hopeful when confronted with despair and In peace starved Indian-controlled Kashmir, it’s disheart- seminating news and information delighted when the society makes appre- ening beyond words when the region’s leading voice for for teachers, students, and 20 Cameroon ciable progress,” were the words of Enenche peace, dialogue, and responsible journalism is silenced. practitioners of PJ. Seminars held amid unrest Akogwu, 31, a reporter and video camera Journalists operator with independent broadcaster, Under On June 14, the editor-in-chief of the Rising Kashmir news- Submissions are welcome from all. 7 New York Lebanon Channels TV. Threat paper, Shujaat Bukhari, was shot and killed along with his We are seeking shorter submissions 22 Q&A w/Cmte to Protect Journalists MAP celebrates 5th birthday two bodyguards outside the newspaper’s offices in Srinigar (300-500 words) detailing peace Akowgu was posted to Kano State in Nigeria’s North- in Indian-controlled Kashmir. One young man was arrested journalism projects, classes, propos- Cameroon west region as a correspondent at a time Boko Haram in the killing, and police are seeking three other gunmen. als, etc. We also welcome longer 8 insurgents seized swaths of territories, killed thousands, (Rising Kashmir, June 15). submissions (800-1200 words) Does PJ make journalists safer? maimed more, and were spreading terror from community about peace or conflict sensitive to community. I had the honor of meeting Bukhari “Working as journalism projects or programs, as 10 Zimbabwe a few years ago during a peace a journalist in An ingenious and courageous reporter, Akogwu covered journalism project in Kashmir. well as academic works from the Polarized media challenges PJ Kashmir is like field. We do NOT seek general sub- the troubled northern region deftly until January 20, 2012 We chatted in his office and then missions about peace projects, but South Sudan when Boko Haram arrived and unleashed terror on Kano, discussed peace journalism with walking on a 12 the staff of Rising Kashmir. It took are instead focused only on articles Northern Nigeria’s centre of commerce, and sought to take razor’s edge.” Inflammatory media seconds to see that Bukhari had with a strong media angle. it over. a keen mind—quick to ferret out --Sameer Yasir, 13 Washington, DC 24 India Mr. Akogwu had just returned from a news conference or- the key issues and to probe for in the NY Times. Deadlines: March 3 (April edition); Seminar: Social media and peace Chennai workshop teaches PJ ganised by the police after multiple suicide bombings tar- insights. Though I’ve had dozens September 3 (October edition). geted government buildings in Kano City, when he heard a of such meetings with journalists barrage of gunshots near the office of the state governor. through the years, the discussion with Bukhari and his staff Editor: Steven Youngblood, Director, What is Peace Journalism? still stands out as one of the most candid and valuable. Center for Global Peace Journalism, Instead of waiting for a tainted statement from security Peace Journalism is when editors and reporters make choices that improve the Park University agents, as most journalists are wont to do, he cautiously Though Bukhari was dubious about the label peace jour- prospects for peace. These choices, including how to frame stories and care- Proofreading: Prof. John Lofflin dashed to see what had happened after the sporadic nalism, there’s no doubt that he and his staff practiced the fully choosing which words are used, create an atmosphere conducive to peace concept. In 2016, I wrote, “Rising Kashmir is a fine news- Continued on next page Contact/Social Media: and supportive of peace initiatives and peacemakers, without compromising paper that if anything is the opposite of inflammatory or [email protected] the basic principles of good journalism. (Adapted from Lynch/McGoldrick, sensationalizing. I was so impressed with their work that Peace Journalism). Peace Journalism gives peacemakers a voice while making I used Rising Kashmir as an example of peace journalism Twitter-@Peace Journ Ibanga Isine is an award-winning peace initiatives and non-violent solutions more visible and viable. in action in my textbook Peace Journalism Principles and Facebook-Peace Journalism group Journalist and Instructor of Journal- A number of valuable peace journalism resources, including resource Practices.” Center for Global Peace ism at the American University of Journalism, Park University packets and online links, can be found at www.park.edu/peacecenter. Nigeria. During our chat in his office, Bukhari and I discussed Rising 8700 NW River Park Dr Kashmir’s necessary balancing act. In volatile Kashmir, fa- Parkville, Missouri 64152 USA Center for Global Peace Journalism Dr. Jacob Udo-Udo Jacob is currently a Visiting Interna- voring either the The Center for Global Peace Journalism works with journalists, academics, and tional Scholar at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylva- Indian authori- Steven Youngblood is editor of the students worldwide to improve reporting about conflicts, societal unrest, rec- nia. Until his visit to Dickinson, Jacob ties or Kashmiri Peace Journalist Magazine, author onciliation, solutions, and peace. Through its courses, workshops, lectures, this was Chair of the Communications protesters or of Peace Journalism Principles magazine, blog, and other resources, the Center encourages media to reject & Multimedia Design Program and militants could and Practices, and director of the sensational and inflammatory reporting, and produce counter-narratives that Interim Dean in the School of Arts and result in the pa- Center for Global Peace Journal- offer a more nuanced view of those who are marginalized—ethnic/racial/ Science at the American University of per being raided ism at Park University in Parkville, A Park University Publication Nigeria. Missouri. religious minorities, women, youth, and migrants. Continued on next page pg 2 www.park.edu/peacecenter Vol 7, No 2 pg 3 By Steven Youngblood October 2018 October 2018 from Pg 3 was a journalist because he wore his identity card and had from Pg 4 Nigeria a branded TV camera on him. Nigeria gunfire stopped. On getting there, he requested informa- He had allegedly published the video on YouTube, showing tion from persons he thought were mere bystanders but Akogwu was one of the proponents of Peace Journalism some of the abducted girls begging the Nigerian Gov- unfortunately, he was standing face-to-face with in Nigeria but the insurgents did not spare him, and ernment to secure their freedom. In a statement on his insurgents and demanding to know what they had neither does the government and security opera- personal website, Salkida said he has worked as a journal- done. tives appreciate journalists who live on the fringes of ist, within the confines of professional ethics and has not danger to tell the stories of the triumph and pains of violated any known law. The insurgents did not waste time in pulling the people caught in violence across the country. trigger. At a very close range, Akogwu was shot six “My status as a Nigerian journalist who has reported times - three times in the chest and three in the A reporter, Ahmed Salkida, who has worked tire- extensively, painstakingly and consistently on the Boko stomach. He died immediately but his body was Journalists lessly to bring the plight of communities and people Haram menace in the country since 2006 is an open book recovered several hours after the military deployed Under affected by insurgency to both local and international known to Nigerians and the international community,” Threat heavy equipment and stopped the insurgents from audience, has been dubbed spokesperson of Boko Salkida indicated in the statement. taking over the state’s seat of power. Haram. Salkida was declared wanted by the Nigerian military in August 2016 in connection with a video show- “Equally, my total allegiance and sacrifice to the Federal Those who murdered Akogwu, whom Channels TV de- ing the Chibok girls earlier kidnapped from a Government Republic of Nigeria is self-evident. I have stayed within the scribed as “a resourceful and fearless reporter” who Secondary School on April 14, 2014. creed of professional journalism in my work.” “covered the northern region uncovering breaking stories and events across the troubled northern region,” knew he Continued on next page “As a testimony to the credible and professional values of my access, since May 2015, l have been to Nigeria three from Pg 3 part, “The services which this great son of the soil ren- times on the invitation of Federal Government agencies. Kashmir dered especially for those unvoiced sections of the soci- by authorities (as it was in 2016) or the paper’s staff being I made personal sacrifices for the release of our Chibok ety through his incredible writings are immortal.” (Rising the target of violence.