International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume VI, Issue XI, November 2022|ISSN 2454-6186
The Media, War and Conflict: How They Adversely Affect Conflict Rather Than Foster Resolution
Nyabuti Damaris Kemunto, & Dr.Anita Kiamba
University Of Nairobi, Kenya
Abstract: Consider the relationship between war and the media by looking at how the media are involved in conflict, either as targets (war on the media) or as an auxiliary (war thanks to the media). Based on this distinction, four major developments can be cited that today combine to make war, above all, a media spectacle: photography, which opened the door to manipulation through stage-management; live technologies, which raise the question of journalists’ critical distance vis-à-vis the material they broadcast and can facilitate the process of using them; and pressure on the media and media globalization, which have led to a change in the way the political process is conducted and the way in which military officials propagandize; and, finally, the fact that censorship has fallen out of favor, prompting the government to come up with creative techniques to control journalists. In today’s conflict, the media frequently plays an important role. In essence, their role can take two distinct and opposing forms. Either the media participates actively in the conflict and bears responsibility for increased violence, or it remains independent and separate from the conflict, thereby contributing to conflict resolution and violence reduction. Whichever role the media plays in a given conflict, and in the phases before and after, is determined by a complex set of factors, including the media’s relationship with conflict actors and its independence from power holders in society. The purpose of this article is to examine and comprehend modern conflict, as well as the role of the media in exacerbating or alleviating violence.
I. INTRODUCTION
The media, whether local or international, will always face significant challenges in covering conflict. There will invariably be commercial pressure to focus on the most recent, violent, or dramatic incidents, at the expense of explaining the context and issues that may underpin the conflict. To explain the conflict in understandable terms, not only to an external audience but also to those affected by it, the media must be able to operate freely and without fear, as well as report on all aspects of the conflict. While policymakers including combatants play a role in establishing the conditions under which the media can operate, journalists and editors bear a great deal of responsibility.
The term mass media specifically refers to a communication channel intended for a large audience. Broadly speaking, mass media outlets include radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, books, video games, and online content including blogs, podcasts, and video sharing. Today, newspapers and news-oriented television and radio programs provide access to stories from around the world, allowing readers and viewers in London to hear and see voices and videos from Baghdad, Tokyo, and Buenos Aires. Books and magazines offer a more in-depth look