wfn.org | Media Practitioners Establish Network to Promote Peace

["Frank Imhoff" <Frank.Imhoff@elca.org>]

Media Practitioners Establish Network to Promote Peace Reporting in
Africa and Beyond
Media, Religious Leaders Play Complementary Roles in Peace Building

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa/GENEVA, 27 April 2005 (LWI) - A group of
media practitioners attending the Second Inter-Faith Action for Peace in
Africa (IFAPA) Summit near Johannesburg, April 21-25, have agreed to
form a network of media persons working in an inter-faith context to
promote peace reporting in Africa and beyond.

During a panel presentation on the role of media in the context of
inter-faith action for peace in Africa, the journalists representing
East, North, South and West Africa, as well as Europe and North America,
gave their respective regional perspectives. They focused on media
ownership and its impact on dissemination of news about conflict, and
the challenges and risks of reporting in a conflict situation. They also
reflected on how different forms of media could be used to instigate,
prevent or resolve conflict, and the role of local and international
media in conflict resolution and peace building 
 
International media, one of the panelists pointed out, played an
important role in reporting the captivating news "which does good in
drawing the world's attention and response" especially to a calamity.
However, it was less likely that they would follow up on the less
captivating information that may be vital for long-term recovery. Local
media, he added, were vital for conflict resolution and peace building.

Any media, whether privately or publicly owned could be used to fuel or
resolve conflict, the panelists noted. However, media ethics entailed
seeking the truth, maintaining independence and minimizing harm. They
stressed the role of a journalist was to report objectively on all
events. 

One of the concerns raised was how much freedom a journalist could
exercise in his or her line of duty. It was felt that while media face
several challenges as dialogue facilitators, mediators, watchdogs and as
a platform for debate, it was up to the individual journalist to choose
what to report on.

The media practitioners called on religious leaders to recognize
media's complementary role in realizing peace in Africa and beyond.
Opening up to media, the journalists argued, would minimize prejudice
about them, and help the public appreciate and even contribute to the
commendable work that several faith-based organizations are carrying
out.

An example was cited of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Department
for World Service (DWS) program in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.
An open approach toward media, according to the Mauritanian panelist,
had promoted a better understanding of the LWF/DWS humanitarian
activities in the North African country since 30 years.  

Participants on the panel included Elizabeth Lobulu (Tanzania), Val
Pauquet (South Africa), Ba Adama Moussa (Mauritania), Philip Sandi
(Liberia), Corinna Muehlstaedt (Germany) and Michael McAteer (Canada).
Thapelo Mkushane from South Africa moderated the session. There were 21
accredited media persons at the Second IFAPA summit. (475 words)

The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the Lutheran
tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund, Sweden, the LWF currently has 138
member churches in 77 countries all over the world, with a membership of
nearly 66 million Christians. The LWF acts on behalf of its member
churches in areas of common interest such as ecumenical and inter-faith
relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human rights,
communication, and the various aspects of mission and development work.
Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland.)

[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the LWF's information service.
Unless specifically noted, material presented does not represent
positions or opinions of the LWF or of its various units. Where the
dateline of an article contains the notation (LWI), the material may be
freely reproduced with acknowledgment.]

* * *

LWI online: http://www.lutheranworld.org/News/Welcome.EN.html 

LUTHERAN WORLD INFORMATION
PO Box 2100, CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
Tel: (41.22) 791.63.54
Fax: (41.22) 791.66.30 
Editor: pmu@lutheranworld.org