It is said that media is a double-edged sword, it can build or destroy a nation, and must therefore be used judiciously.
Whenever a conflict arises, the media’s role cannot be left unmentioned. It contributes largely to heightening or deflating a conflict.
Logically, the role played can take two divergent configurations.
First, the media takes an active part in the conflict, which will at long last lead to increased violence.
The other is that media may stay independent and out of the conflict, thereby contributing to the resolution of the conflict and alleviation of violence.
Since the end of the Cold War, there have many conflicts that have led to the demise of millions of people and suffering. Many others have been displaced as a result.
Only a few of these conflicts have attracted serious attention from the international community, although those that have attracted international attention have had a significant impact.
For instance, using home-related examples in eastern Africa, the genocide in Rwanda and the post-election violence in Kenya led to much debate about the powers and responsibilities of the international community.
These conflicts also triggered serious rifts inside the United Nations, making the work of the organisation difficult. The actual figure of people who were displaced during the 2007-08 post-election violence in Kenya is known. The local media has been largely accused of fanning the conflict.
Media’s work has been correlated to the issues that result in violent behaviour such as the association between massive exposure to media and the increase of violent behaviour among audiences.
Journalists have been accused of bias by paying attention more to certain issues than others.
Despite the number of violent conflicts in the world, there is still little understanding of how modern conflicts are triggered. On many occasions, if the conflict is not resolved with urgency, it may build up into a major crisis that will require peaceful resolution.
The success of the resolution of a conflict sometimes depend on the role media chooses to play. The interest of journalists to understand the issue in a dispute and other factors help to build the conflict or prevent it.
Conflict prevention and peacebuilding professionals can use media in harmony with the other programmes if they know when, why and how to use media for the most strategic impact in lessening the polarisation between groups.
Media can play a crucial role in allowing a peace process to develop by enabling the conflict to be expressed and argued in a peaceful manner.
This will definitely require proper media space and access to reliable and fact-based information.
Journalism and communication student, Moi University. @Jacksonnyakoe
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