Responsible Media and Peace Process
From Global Perspectives
The ongoing conflicts in over 35 countries, as well as global concerns about terrorism, responsible Media can play an
effective role. Responsible media can thus be seen as an important part of the natural immune system of the body
politic, which should be mobilized to prevent conflict and to help resolve the factors which give rise to conflicts.
Combating international terrorism had become the world's prime objective after terrorist attacks on the US. The General
Assembly had also adopted a resolution underlining the need for strengthening multilateral cooperation on disarmament
and non-proliferation as a contribution to the fight against terrorism. There could be no peace or progress as long as
there were threats of terrorism and destruction.
According to UN reports, some 30,000 nuclear weapons reportedly remain in stockpiles around the world. Many of the
important treaties that help to address the threat include the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and the Biological
Weapons and Chemical Weapons Conventions. A total ban on nuclear testing and fissile material production will be
achieved through an early entry of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and an expeditious conclusion of the Fissile
Material Cut-Off Treaty. So, responsible media should continue to work towards global disarmament and a complete
elimination of weapons of mass destruction. On the other side, toward bringing g peace in the nation responsible media
should work between the government political parties and rebels and support a negotiated settlement. Responsible media
must expand its role and program. It is also true responsible media need training, educational program on peace and
financial assistance to create peace programs.
Therefore, the role of responsible media at the peace process is crucial and they will remain an important part of the
process. Responsible media must demonstrate a strong commitment to moving beyond analysis and deeper understanding to
actually undertaking concrete actions in their respective sectors. On the other side, around the world the struggle for
equality in media is a constant battle for recognition of peace process. Globally, the media shows little interest in
peace issues and among what has been covered, most is rather negative and wrong. The media does not seem to have given
adequate attention to important issues that concern people's welfare.
Therefore, the responsible media should give importance to such subject matters which inform the people of the
socio-political context of the country with particular focus on peace issues, their contemporary problems and
necessities. The responsible media should inspire all to make opinions and decisions on development, human rights, in a
society. Thus, responsible media can serve to disseminate information about peace and war. They can improve knowledge
and shape perceptions and attitudes about a variety of subjects, and they can influence peace issues and behavior. It is
imperative that the responsible media workers should have a positive attitude towards peace process issues. The
government's efforts alone are not sufficient in dealing with the multiple causes of conflict because it often is the
party to a conflict. Responsible media is the whole complex of distinctive intellectual features that characterize a
society or social group. It includes modes of life, the fundamental rights of the human being, value systems, traditions
and beliefs.
We also can compare hidden parts of Media mainstream or traditional. Some kind of Media may emphasise individualism and
independence while another values collectivism and interdependence. When people from different views come together there
is often misunderstanding and conflict.
So, responsible Media' support is essential to give validity to the peace process. All the journalists should
demonstrate that they are for larger public interest. Responsible media should realize that people's wish and feeling
are the most important. And also responsible Media can assist civilian movements in framing and carrying out
well-conceived strategies for nonviolent conflict, setting the agenda for negotiations.
The role of the responsible media is still more crucial when politics and political leaders fail. An active responsible
media is needed for leading the social movement because a strong responsible media is the foundation of democratic
stable, peaceful and development and creation of a just and equitable society. In any time of conflict, it is the
responsible media that plays the lead role in bringing about tangible and lasting solution to the problem facing the
nation and the people.
The role of responsible media in creating a secure atmosphere is really needed by society. Responsible media can
exacerbate conflict, but it can also educate the people, facilitate peace process and even mediate and work in conflict
management. Responsible media know how once violence is allowed to become a means of addressing such internal political
problems, the ability to resolve the conflict is greatly complicated?.
Responsible media must demonstrate a strong commitment to moving beyond analysis and deeper understanding to actually
undertaking concrete actions in their respective sectors. Finally, responsible media must be considered in the
decision-making process leading to the waging of armed conflict. During on-going violent conflict the roles of
responsible media are more circumscribed, but may include: providing necessary channels for dialogue in crisis
situations; facilitating and mediating in conflict situations; mobilizing and uniting communities in support of peace;
and providing essential social services and humanitarian support. Effective conflict prevention, therefore, requires the
design of institutions and strategies that address the sources of conflict both before it initially erupts and once
violence has been quelled.
Given the failure of the existing development paradigms, there is an urgent need for responsible media to formulate and
promote alternative development strategies that are friendly toward both entrepreneurs and the environment, and are
rooted in their realities and traditions.
Responsible media can play an important role in facilitating the "truth and reconciliation" type of tribunal by
systematically exploring. So, responsible media should also seek to reduce the influence of forces promoting
exclusionary policies or violence. With the help of responsible media, civil society, governments and the UN should aim
to strengthen the national self-confidence and social fabric of traumatized peoples, to encourage and help them to
overcome enormous human security challenges. This challenge involves three critical components, the development of
power-sharing mechanisms, the economic disparities.
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(Kamala Sarup is editor of http://peacejournalism.com/ )