Media in conflict resolution
THE power of media derives from its ability to inform, educate, and entertain society. Used responsibly, such power can be harnessed in conflict resolution. Regretfully, the personal bias of owners, editors, and journalists, the crass commercialism creeping into the industry lending itself to sensationalism in reporting, the pressures from combatants (government, opposition, terrorists) and the restriction on the freedom of the press could lead to the failure of media to discharge fully its role.
There have even been instances where media was instrumental in fomenting conflict as in the resolute actions of the Hearst papers to cause American intervention in Cuba which is generally accepted as the launching pad for the march to the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. In the present Philippine setting, we can see an avalanche of conflicts – in the conduct of the anti-drug campaign, in the restoration of peace and order in the communities, in the horrendous traffic mess – brought about by the need to change and the resistance to change.
The anti-drug campaign fuelled by the pre-presidency pronouncements of President Rodrigo Duterte and sustained by his continuing support though in a less provocative manner has garnered support from many although criticisms have been raised by human rights advocates, civil society, and ordinary citizens. The conflict centers on the perceived “extra-judicial killings” perpetrated by arresting policemen and motorcycling vigilantes. While critics do not question the effectiveness of the campaign as seen by the tens of thousands of drug pushers and users who have voluntarily surrendered, the questions in people’s mind are –why do they have to be killed and why have there been no arrests of vigilantes? In this conflict situation, it is the role of media to be the sobering influence and the purveyor of truth. Graphic pictures showing the deaths and provocative headlines will only incite and not contribute to an objective analysis of the situation. Media in their reporting should have equal space for the policemen (get their side) even as it highlights the cries and pain of the deceased’s relatives. In their search for the truth, media could focus on a few of the encounters and undertake a thorough investigation. They could arrange with the police hierarchy to accompany the arresting policemen in their raids and improve their reports because of their presence.
In the restoration of peace and order, the arrests of petty criminals and enforcement of curfew for minors (now temporarily halted by a Supreme Court TRO) is getting some flak. Again less sensationalism from media could put the government’s efforts in the proper perspective. Balanced reporting which presents the side of the aggrieved with those of the community who are supportive of peace and order is appropriate.
In the traffic mess, media should avoid fuelling traffic rage and give more space to articles on educating the public including the pedestrians and commuters on their responsibilities; the drivers on following traffic rules and keeping their cool and encouraging public vehicle owners to help by relocating terminals in the outskirts of the city and practicing sequential and scheduled bus deployment. Residents should be advised not to park their vehicles on the sidewalk in both major and side streets. Media could publish photos of violators in a “Name and Shame” campaign.
In general, if media is to shine in its role in conflict resolution, media could publicize the principles of human rights and other moral norms and violations, educate the parties about each other’s interests, needs, and core values, reframe the issues in ways that make the conflict more tractable and reinforce leaders’ credibility with their constituents, engaging in confidence-building activities and deflating rumors and propaganda.
Media can practice responsible journalism – media professionals should be truthful, accurate, fair and balanced in their reports and broadcasts, peace initiatives should be highlighted and encouraged, reports should not be exaggerated or sensationalized, commercial interest should not override that of the public – and journalists should be trained in peace journalism.
All should adhere to the United Nations Millennium Declaration that stresses the need “to ensure the freedom of the media to perform their essential role and the right of the public to have access to information.”