NCJ Number
141942
Journal
Forum Dated: (Winter 1993) Pages: 28-32
Date Published
1993
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The media in South Africa are instruments that affect and mediate conflicts, whether they intend to or not.
Abstract
Media representative define, shape, and often exacerbate conflict by the stories they choose to cover, by those they omit, by the sources they use, by the "facts" they include, by the way they use language, by their own biases, or "newsframes." Journalists are potentially dangerous mediators because they usually do not recognize or do not accept responsibility for the power they wield. Newsframes in South Africa, in the context of apartheid and heavy media restrictions, have reflected countless perspectives and distortions on all sides. In today's "pre- post-apartheid" era, although official media restrictions have been dropped, news remains heavily opaque and partisan. Principles of sound mediation are basically principles of sound journalism. One principle is to be concerned about the process of handling or covering conflict. If violence is an outcome, the media should learn more about the process or continuum of conflict that leads to such violence. So much reporting is made out of context with a myopic focus on outcome. Another mediation principle is to move the contending parties beyond their positions. Media can do this by helping to identify and communicate people's basic interests and needs; otherwise, they become an instrument of propaganda. The media should also be concerned about language is an instrument for helping resolve or aggravate conflict. The media must be aware of the language typically associated with racist, sexist, and fascist perspectives and avoid the use of such language. Language is also misused in what is left unsaid or unnamed. The media can only be effective mediators if they give equal time to listening to each side, present each position accurately and without bias, and focus on the aspects of each parties' positions that hold room for peaceful compromise.