Empowering Journalists for Conflict-Sensitive Reporting: Bridging Media and Peace Initiatives

Journalists in Jos, Plateau State, recently participated in a comprehensive one-day workshop on Conflict-sensitive Reporting for Media Practitioners, aimed at adapting to evolving conflict dynamics heightened by social media and ensuring more responsible reporting.

Facilitated by Peace Action for Rapid Transformative Nigerian Early Response (PARTNER), a USAID-funded program by Mercy Corps, the workshop equipped media practitioners with essential skills to integrate conflict sensitivity guidance into their reporting.

Participants, drawn from the plateau Peace Media Network, were urged by Danjuma Saidu Dawup, the Chief of Party for PARTNER, to recognize the shifting context and dynamics of various communities, particularly in light of social media’s impact on conflict dynamics.

Dawup emphasized the potential for conflicts originating from online spaces to affect offline dynamics and highlighted the necessity of collaboration between media and peace-building organizations.

The training aimed to establish a mutually beneficial relationship between media and peace-building initiatives, facilitating the dissemination of peace messages to a broader audience.

Chrysantus Lapang, Mercy Corps’ Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) Technical Manager for the PARTNER project, stressed the crucial role of journalists in conflict prevention and resolution.

He emphasized the significance of understanding conflict sensitivity and indicators, as journalists are primary communicators to the public.

Lapang highlighted journalists’ influence in shaping public perception and behavior, asserting that adopting conflict-sensitive reporting practices could help reduce tensions and promote peaceful conflict resolution.

Furthermore, Lapang emphasized journalists’ role in early warning and response, emphasizing the importance of timely and accurate reporting to prevent misinformation and disinformation from inciting violence.

The workshop provided journalists with valuable insights and tools to navigate the intricate terrain of conflict reporting, with an emphasis on promoting peace, understanding, and responsible journalism, while also encouraging collaborative efforts between media practitioners and peace-building initiatives.