Journalism and peace building
04-06-2007 09:37:20 – KarabakhOpen
A discussion on journalism and peace building was held at Stepanakert
Press Club with the students of the department of journalism of Artsakh
State University. The discussion was conducted by Gegham Baghdasaryan,
chair of the press club, editor-in-chief of the Demo Public Newspaper.
How can journalists influence the settlement of the conflict? Where
does the border between peace building and professional journalism
pass? Should journalists report on negative phenomena when the media
are read by the foe as well, or should they keep to the professional
rules? New opinions and ideas were expressed during the discussion of
these complicated issues: if one word may spark a war, the right word
may establish peace. It is unacceptable that the reporters of one of
the conflict sides build peace ` it looks like defeatism. There must be
professional collaboration based on mutual respect. In addition, the
participants of the discussion agreed to the opinion that first-hand
information from the other side of the conflict is interesting to
everyone, and partners among the professional reporters from the
conflict sides is one of the ways to get this information.
Karine Ohanyan, one of the organizers of the discussion, said it
happens that the same media participate in different peace building
projects, and the purpose of these discussions is to enlarge the range
of journalists engaged in peace building journalism. Another purpose is
open discussions with colleagues how journalists may influence conflict
reporting and resolution. By the way, the discussion was held in the
framework of one of the projects funded by the International Alert and
implemented by the board of the Resource Center of Stepanakert.