Role of media in conflict resolution

By Sudhakshina Rangaswami

MANILA, DEC. 26. The uncertainty precipitated by the impeachment trial of the Philippines President, Mr. Joseph Estrada, cast its shadow over festivities of the Yuletide season when 20 communication researchers, media practitioners and religion representatives belonging to Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism met here recently to deliberate on the modalities for facilitating Asian media in promoting a culture of peace. The symposium was organised by the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC), Singapore, in collaboration with the Global Society for Peace and Development (GSPD), Manila.

The project was supported by the Japan Foundation Asia Centre, Tokyo, and the UNESCO Regional Communication Office for Asia in Kuala Lumpur. Representatives from India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore and Sri Lanka participated.

The long-felt need for a forum to facilitate a culture of peace in the Asia-Pacific region was the genesis of this initiative as it is evident that the problems faced by countries in the region were unique to their multi-religious, multi-lingual and multi- ethnic character. It had become imperative that media efforts be directed towards finding creative means to resolve conflicts and promote peace due to the ever-increasing tensions and misunderstanding involving individuals, religious groups, ethnic groups, communities and nations.

Promoting a ``culture of peace'' was viewed as a slow and complex process of integrating political, economic and socio- cultural mechanisms in which besides the primary role played by governments, individuals and media also had a vital role. Communication was identified as the stepping stone and means to breaking barriers for facilitating this process.

Papers presented by working journalists and religion representatives and country reports by media researchers, which were designed and coordinated by the AMIC, resulted in useful discussions during the three-day symposium. They focussed on the problems faced by religious groups in maintaining peace, how inter-religious understanding could be creatively enhanced and the positive role media could assume in conflict resolution.

While the causes of conflict were identified as lack of communication, understanding and of empathy, incompetence in conflict resolution, maximising differences rather than similarities, ideological differences and the fear of losing self-identity, the integrating process involved giving healing time for reconciliation, enhancing awareness through education, increasing research on peace studies, recognising and respecting cultural diversity, strengthening national identity and inculcating civic values through education and the media by increased reportage on peace efforts.

In the wake of globalisation, a need was felt for safety nets to preserve regional cultures to prevent rifts and tensions in society. Inculcation of moral values, divorce of religion from political discourse, practice of responsible journalism, initiation of dialogue between conservatives and liberals within religious groups, education to create awareness about issues involved in conflicts, promotion of elements of integration through sports, culture and entertainment, learning lessons from history to avoid repeating past mistakes and preventing religion from promoting insular and exclusive ideas were identified as areas for concerted action.

A concrete proposal to establish an Asian peace network - PeaceNet Asia - for coordinating peace efforts was recommended and accepted. The AMIC and similar organisations will play the lead role in this venture by creating a platform for dialogue and interaction.

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