Is the public responsible for violence journalism?

Recent tweet:

The media often show us what we want, are we responsible for #violencejournalism ?
Jillian Mourning
@ jillianmourning
Charlotte, NC

Response:

Dear Jillian, Peace Media Coop Class:

Good question.

If I as a parent feed a toddler nothing but junk food, and the child gets fat, is the toddler responsible for his obesity? Yes, the toddler likes the junk food, but does this absolve the parent of negligence?

By the same token, the media know, or think they know, what audiences like: junk news like incessant, hysterical crime coverage, inflammatory race baiting, and blow-by-blow “breaking news” coverage that lacks substance or context. 

Peace journalism would argue that journalists have a higher responsibility to inform their public in a way that allows them to be productive, responsible citizens. There’s nothing wrong with the occasional burger and fries. However, that doesn’t mean that we can shirk our responsibility to provide vegetables—substantive, contextual news that informs rather than shocks; news that objectively presents multiple perspectives ; news that offers analysis.

Media worldwide buy into the notion that audiences will only consume junk news. Research has shown this to be false. One study, by Professor Jake Lynch, shows that audiences prefer peace journalism framed stories that offer more substance than show. (See Peace Journalist magazine; page 3). Another study shows that readers prefer journalism that offers solutions rather than just spotlighting problems. 

Peace journalists, good journalists, must assume responsibility for what they report and how they report it.

CALL FOR PAPERS:
THE PEACE JOURNALIST MAGAZINE
The Peace Journalist magazine is seeking submissions for our October, 2015 edition. The Peace Journalist is a semi-annual publication (print and .pdf) of the Center for Global Peace Journalism at Park University in Parkville, Missouri. The Peace Journalist is dedicated to disseminating news and information for and about teachers, students, and practitioners of peace and conflict sensitive journalism.

Submissions are welcome from all. For the next edition
of The Peace Journalist, we are seeking short submissions (300-550 words) detailing peace journalism projects, classes, proposals, academic works in the field, etc. We also welcome longer submissions (800-1200 words) about peace or conflict sensitive journalism projects or programs, as well as academic works from the field. The Peace Journalist will not run general articles about peace initiatives or projects, but rather seeks only articles with a strong peace media/peace journalism/conflict sensitive journalism angle.

Please submit your article via email to steve.youngblood@park.edu. Also send a 2-3 sentence biography of the author, as well as a small head and shoulders photo of the author. In addition, please submit photos and graphics that could accompany your article.

The submission deadline is September 7. However, given the limited space available in this issue, it’s advisable to submit your article early.

Click here to see a .pdf of the April 2015 edition.

Peace Journalism: One ingredient in Kashmiri peace recipe

AWANTIPORA, INDIAN-ADMINISTERED KASHMIR—As our last peace journalism class ended at the Islamic University of Science and Technology, one student couldn’t restrain himself as he asked me the million dollar/rupee question: How would you solve the conflict in Kashmir?

I tried not to answer flippan​tly, since the question is important. However, I was honest. I responded that after two weeks in Kashmir, that of course it would be impossible for me to come up with a solution that has been elusive to the world’s best minds since 1947.

 

I do understand the young man’s impulse, and the feelings of everyone here who want answers and solutions to this ongoing conflict. Indeed, I was asked repeatedly during my peace journalism classes if implementing PJ would solve the crisis here. The answer, of course, is that good, responsible journalism is just one of many ingredients required for peace to occur. This led to a discussion of Dr. Johan Galtung’s principle of “positive peace,” wherein peaceful societies possess the conditions necessary for all citizens to reach their full potential. Positively peaceful societies are those without discrimination, where access to quality education and health care are rights and not luxuries, and where economic benefits are equally distributed. Peace journalists, I suggested, have a responsibility to lead societal discussions about these elements of positive peace.

Aside from the role of media in achieving peace, the second major overarching theme of my seminars and lectures inevitably veered into objectivity vs. subjectivity, whether this involves language (martyr, tragedy, oppressor) or story framing (casting or implying blame). I was reminded how difficult it is for reporters in conflict and post-conflict situations to set aside their biases. If your brother or cousin or neighbor was harassed or even killed by authorities, how can you report objectively about this? Reporting without bias may not be possible, especially here in Kashmir. But, I said, reporting as objectively as possible, presenting all sides as much as possible, is still a laudable goal.

As I told my colleagues and students at the Islamic University, it was my good fortune to have the opportunity to visit this beautiful place and to learn about the opportunities and challenges in Kashmir. We are already planning future projects that will expand the scope of peace journalism here. Based on the support we received this month, it's hard to not be hopeful for the future of PJ in this breathtaking, troubled place.

SUBMIT TO THE PEACE JOURNALIST MAGAZINE: See link for details on how to submit an article for the October edition of the Peace Journalist magazine.

Kashmir journalists debate PJ label, approaches
SRINIGAR, INDIAN-ADMINISTERED KASHMIR--SRINIGAR, INDIAN-ADMINISTERED KASHMIR--Whenever journalists get together, a spirited discussion usually follows. This was certainly the case as I met the news team yesterday at Rising Kashmir newspaper.

The meeting was organized for me to very briefly introduce the principles of peace journalism. As it turned out, it was much less presentation and much more me answering thought-provoking questions about PJ and journalism in general. 

Editor Shujaat Bukhari opened the discussion with a question about the label peace journalism. While he encourages his reporters to take a facts-based, unbiased approach, he asked if the term peace journalism was itself inflammatory and unnecessary. Bukhari said PJ principles could be simply taught as good journalism, or, just journalism.

Bukhari’s point is well taken. As practitioners and teachers of PJ have observed and written, the word peace itself is  ironically inflammatory, stirring strong emotions and conjuring distorted images of 1960’s style long haired, pot-smoking, tree hugging hippies. In the groundbreaking 2005 book Peace Journalism, Jake Lynch and Annabel McGoldrick admit that the term peace journalism doesn’t appeal to everyone, and indeed will be misunderstood as open advocacy for peace and an abandonment of the cherished journalistic notion of objectivity. Lynch and McGoldrick wrote that the strength of the term peace journalism lies in its ability to “galvanize, shake up, and send a seismic energy through sedimented layers of (journalistic) tradition, assumption, and definition.” 

Agreeing with the notion that the label peace journalism “shakes things up,” I asked Bukhari if I would have been invited to speak to his reporters if all I was peddling was plain vanilla “journalism?”
Setting aside the label discussion, Bukhari and I seemed to agree on the principles of balance and objectivity offered by the peace journalism approach. The reporters asked pointed questions about subjective terms like massacre and martyr. I suggested that if reporters use these words, they lose their objectivity.

Editor Shujaat Bukhari is in the center wearing
white; I'm on the left relaxing.

 One reporter asked, what if her cousin was murdered by the authorities—how should that be reported? I said that peace journalism, and indeed good journalism, asks that news reporters set aside their biases. Understandably, in this example, and indeed in everyday life in Kashmir, remaining unbiased is an especially tall order. Nonetheless, I suggested that she report her cousin’s death factually, without finger pointing, and in a way that gives balance to both accuser and accused. I acknowledged, however, that this is easy for me to say. I hope I would stick to my principles under such circumstances.

The discussion concluded with a more general discussion about the business of journalism and the transition from traditional to digital media. At Rising Kashmir, their website is becoming increasingly popular, and like their counterparts everywhere, they are seeking sustainable economic models that maximize their online revenues. 

Overall, I admire the work done by Rising Kashmir in not sensationalizing or irresponsibly reporting the news here under extremely difficult circumstances. They can certainly teach their colleagues in New Delhi a thing or two about responsible journalism.

Kashmir project generates good face-to-face questions, anger online

 My visit to Kashmir has generated some spirited (to put it charitably) comments, both in person and online.

At a lecture at Kashmir University (KU)  today, an intelligent and lively audience quizzed me about the advisability and applicability of peace journalism in the region. The questions were pointed, but good. I conceded that implementing peace journalism here (or really anywhere) is an uphill battle, given corporate and political influences on media. But, I said, it is a battle worth fighting. 

One particularly skeptical questioner wondered how peace journalism can be possible in a conflict area like Kashmir. Good question. My response was that peace efforts , including peace journalism, are underway in lots of conflict areas. I cited Prof. Jake Lynch’s recent peace journalism seminars in Afghanistan as one example. Had I been thinking quicker, I would have also noted vibrant peace journalism activities in Lebanon, Mexico, the Philippines, and elsewhere.

My KU appearance was preceded by the second day of a four day lecture series at the Islamic University of Science and Technology. Today, the students analyzed Kashmiri media for peace journalism, and came to the conclusion that some peace journalism is indeed practiced here—certainly more than the national Indian media practice, according to the students.

Online, my posts have generated some anger from several anonymous commenters. The gist of their complaints is that I don't know what I'm talking about (an oldie but goodie). Two writers have made comments designed to get me to take sides on the Kashmir conflict, which I have no intention of doing. I won’t comment on India’s treatment of Pakistan, or vice-versa, nor on either country's treatment of Kashmiris. My concern is the media. As I have said repeatedly during my stay here, peace journalism would say that media consumers throughout the region are best served with factual, dispassionate treatment of news that is free from bias (as much as possible) and hyperbole.

To anonymous writers: I'd be happy to post your comment and discuss your concerns, if  you sign your name.

Although I’m growing weary of the anonymous online vitriol, I do look forward to continuing the discussion with my students and professional journalists here in Kashmir this week.