The Centre for Democracy and Development, in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration and Mercy Corps, has underscored the critical role the media plays in promoting peace and preventing conflict in fragile communities, thus urging media practitioners to embrace ethical and conflict-sensitive reporting.
Speaking during a training for journalists in Katsina on Friday, CDD Regional Manager, North-West, John Lazing, described journalists as strategic actors whose work could either foster peace or fuel conflict.
According to him, the training was organised under the Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience programme to strengthen the capacity of journalists in promoting peace and social cohesion across Katsina State and the North-West.
“Journalists are very key and strategic actors in every fragile environment. Their role is a double-edged sword. They have the power to make peace, build peace, and they also have what it takes to create conflict,” Lazing said.
While stressing the importance of conflict analysis in journalism, he noted that a poor understanding of the root causes of conflicts often results in inaccurate reporting capable of escalating tensions.
