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WACC calls for stronger and more active peace-building media |
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WACC Statement on International Day of Peace 21 September 2009  | | Communication can help overcome the inequalities and injustices that give rise to conflict and violence. WACC believes that mass and community media have the potential to promote genuine dialogue to transform conflict and build a culture of peace, and that every effort should be made to strengthen their capacity to do so. Communication for peace carries information and alternative points of view that turn public opinion towards the peaceful resolution of conflict. Communication for peace is balanced and unbiased, but not neutral or passive. Peace media stress the advantages of peace-building, make the public aware of all options and initiatives for conflict resolution, and try to clarify the views of all those involved. |
Recently the media played an important role in Nepal where, in the words of journalist Kamal Raj Sigdel (The Kathmandu Post) they “successfully saved the country’s politics from returning to the abyss and prompted political parties to work diligently to achieve the goal of constitutional reform, which is an ultimate harbinger of peace. People now expect that Nepalese media – with increased capacity to communicate peace – will continue to play a crucial part in bringing the peace process to a successful conclusion.” Peace media illuminate structural and cultural violence as it affects the lives of ordinary people. They frame conflicts in terms of several parties pursuing many goals. They make visible peace initiatives and potential solutions, whoever suggests them. And they equip people to distinguish between self-interested positions and real objectives. In northern Kenya, the Pastoralist Journalist Network is struggling to help build peace in a conflict situation complicated by refugees, gun-running, violence against women, and corruption. Abjata Khalif, network chairperson, says: “Community media have played a catalytic role in resolving conflict by engaging all players, helping to promote dialogue about issues that fuel or trigger violence, and demobilising active combatants from different clans. The result is that communities have been brought back together.” WACC supports these and many similar initiatives worldwide and calls on development and humanitarian agencies to increase assistance for media initiatives aimed at building peace
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WACC promotes communication as a basic human right, essential to people's dignity and community.
The World Association for Christian Communication is a UK Registered Charity (number 296073) and a Company registered in England and Wales (number 2082273) with its Registered Office at 71 Lambeth Walk, London SE11 6DX. It is an incorporated Charitable Organisation in Canada (number 83970 9524 RR0001) with its head office at 308 Main Street, Toronto ON, M4C 4X7.
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