Conflict-Sensitive Reporting: State of the Art - A Course for Journalists and Journalism Educators

The central concept of Conflict-Sensitive Reporting is that violent conflict attracts intense news media attention that requires greater analytical depth and skills to report on it without contributing to further violence or overlooking peace building opportunities. It first briefly introduces the role of media in conflicts, then offers a model curriculum for a training programme, and concludes by describing training experiences in Kenya and Somalia.

The curriculum outline is intended for small groups of relatively inexperienced to mid-career reporters, editors, and producers working in conflict-stressed environments and emerging democracies. It emphasises the critical importance of basic standards of journalism, explores the dynamics of conflict and the influence of reliable journalism on conflict mediation, and finally examines specific aspects of delivering a more conflict-sensitive style of reporting.

Contents include the following:

• Preface
  
• 1. Introduction
  
• 2. Recognising the media role in conflict
  
• 3. Curriculum outline
  
• 4. Detailed curriculum
  
• 5. Notes for trainers
  
• 6. Case studies
  
• 7. Practical resources for a curriculum in conflict-sensitive reporting