PJ: A valuable tool to battle fake news
Today in Peace Journalism class at Park University, we're discussing fake news and the role of peace journalism in counteracting it. Below are the elements of peace journalism, and a discussion afterwards of how these apply to fake news.
Peace Journalism Elements and Fake News
1. PJ is proactive, examining the causes of conflict, and leading discussions about solutions. FAKE NEWS SEEKS BIASED SOLUTIONS TO FAKE/DISTORTED PROBLEMS

2. PJ looks to unite parties, rather than divide them, and eschews oversimplified “us vs. them” and “good guy vs. bad guy” reporting. –FAKE NEWS PITS US VS THEM; SO PJ EXPOSES THIS AND PROVIDES CONTEXT
3. Peace reporters reject official propaganda, and instead seek facts from all sources. FAKE NEWS IS PROPAGANDA
4. PJ is balanced, covering issues/suffering/peace proposals from all sides of a conflict. . FAKE NEWS IS ALWAYS ONE SIDED/BIASED
5. PJ gives voice to the voiceless, instead of just reporting for and about elites –FAKE NEWS DOESN'T EMPOWER THE VOICELESS, IT MANIPULATES THEM

6. Peace journalists provide depth and context—FAKE NEWS IS SUPERFICIAL, OR TANGLED IN BIZARRE CONSPIRACIES… DEPTH AND CONTEXT BATTLE THIS

7. Peace journalists consider the consequences of their reporting—FAKE NEWS IGNORES CONSEQUENCES, AND EVEN SEEKS NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES
8. Peace journalists carefully choose and analyze the words they use—FAKE NEWS SEEKS INFLAMMATORY AND PROVOCATIVE LANGUAGE

9. Peace journalists thoughtfully select the images they use—FAKE NEWS USES DOCTORED, SENSATIONAL IMAGES; OR IMAGES THAT DISTORT REALITY

10. Peace Journalists offer counter-narratives that debunk media created or perpetuated stereotypes, myths, and misperceptions. FAKE NEWS BUILDS UPON THESE MYTHS AND STEREOTYPES TO MANIPUATE THE PUBLIC

Hurricane coverage: Hot wind?

Much has been written about the advisability and desirability of positioning reporters in the path of hurricanes. Several insightful articles about this have appeared in Slate and the New York Times .

From a peace journalism perspective, while we might reflexively cringe at the ratings grubbing and sensationalism, I agree with the article above that there is an undeniable need for citizens (potential evacuees) to see and experience the severity of the storm with their own eyes.

That said, I am alarmed at the coverage that draws undue attention to those who choose to ignore evacuation exhortations. These range from the mundane (“I’ve never evacuated before”) to the absurd (“Florida Man Plans to Tie Himself to Pole During Irma”) and (“Man Says He’ll Ride Out Irma on his Boat”).
 

This coverage often set up a false equivalency—storm experts and local officials on one side of the screen preaching caution or urging evacuations, and hurricane skeptics and thrill seekers on the other. While there is no study data to prove this, I would bet that the constant drum beat of this worn out narrative of the "hurricane maverick" influences those on the fence, people considering whether to stay or evacuate. We don’t know how many stay because they see others ignoring the warnings, but if even one person remains behind and is injured or killed, then that’s one too many.

Perhaps the press should re-think giving storm deniers a platform.

Magazine coming soon

The October edition of the Peace Journalist magazine is coming soon! Stay tuned for details.

Ugandan Peace Journalist to
get vision-saving surgery

I write with wonderful news about our fundraiser for peace journalist Gloria Laker's cataract surgery. (She has cataracts in both eyes, and without surgery, she will go blind.) Thanks to your generosity, we have raised a total of $4350, enough to pay for surgery on one eye. Gloria will have this surgery in early September, and we'll keep you posted.

With my deepest gratitude,

Steven Youngblood