Media Strategies in Conflict Transformation: The Case of Cameroon Broadcast Media Coverage of the Anglophone Conflict
- October 27, 2021
- Posted by: RSIS
- Categories: IJRISS, Peace and Conflict Studies
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue X, October 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186
Beng Primus Fang
Department of International Relations and Conflict Resolution, University of Buea, Cameroon
Abstract: The African continent is encountering numerous armed conflicts, some of which have been blamed on mass media. In these numerous armed conflicts that Africa is experiencing, the media, in view of the roles it plays in a society automatically becomes a key player in either fueling the conflicts or resolving them. Since 2016, Cameroon has been the epicenter of intrastate conflict with devastating consequences. With the proliferation of the broadcast media, the deepening of the conflict is not unconnected to the media. The media has played and continue to play a major role in the ongoing conflict. This study explored the role played by the broadcast media and examined the media strategies put in place by the broadcast media to minimize the occurrence of violence. Social Responsibility Theory of reporting was used to anchor this study. The study employs a mixed research design (qualitative and quantitative). Surveys and 110 interviews were administered to the audience and journalists respectively in Bamenda, Buea on a face-to-face and self-administered basis. Key findings of this study reveal that majority of the rspondents (60.4%) are of the opinion that the broadcast media played the role of conflict escalation and majority of the journalists interviewed also shared the same view. Over 60% of the respondents hold that restructuring the content of broadcast media is major strategy to be employed in times of conflict. Content restructure of broadcast media is also recommended by journalists interviewed. The implication of the findings of this study is that it will add to existing literature in the field of peace, conflict transformation and communication. The research will serve as a platform for journalists to understand how to communicate during conflict.
Key words: Media, Strategies, Conflict Transformation, Broadcast Media, Coverage, Anglophone Conflict, Cameroon
I. INTRODUCTION
Wars and armed conflicts have at least one thing in common: violence, which like no other means destroys everything from, people, crops, infrastructures and other material resources to institutions, including education, and political will, hope, and trust. Armed conflicts are parts of the root cause of poverty, which causes suffering, disaster for economic development and deprives people from basic needs. Although, it may often be tempting to generalize and assume that all conflicts are the same, the reality is very different. Particularly for those involved, as a British correspondent aptly expressed it, “All war is local” (Martin Bell, 2000: 13) even though the First World War (WW I) and Second World War (WW II) were not local wars.
