This publication seeks to contribute to the theoretical refinement and practical realisation of conflict conscious journalism as a tool for usage by media practitioners in conflict-affected areas. With this goal in mind, the handbook is designed to be both a practical everyday guide for those already familiar with the subject, as well as an introduction for those unfamiliar with such practices (from the Preface).

This handbook is a compilation of recommendations for media professionals on how to cover conflict and its consequences. The book includes several sections highlighting such topics as journalists’ safety in a conflict environment, international standards and practices of conflict-sensitive journalism, tips on working with conflict-affected groups, etc.

The book is designed for journalists, freelancers, fixers, editors, university professors and students – all those interested in conflict-sensitive journalism.

A review of the evidence Dr Kate Ferguson
Research Associate, Partnership for Conflict, Crime and Security Research University of East Anglia
1 March 2016

This report presents the analysis of a corpus of academic and grey literature relevant to a key challenge facing our society. How can media and communications be used to counter identity-based violence (IBV) or Violent Extremism (VE)?

Part I focuses on “Counter-Narratives”, looking at the evidence relating to strategic policy communication strategies and counter-propaganda techniques. This reflects literature from policymakers, think-tanks, and civil society initiatives rather than the academic literature base.

Part II looks at “Alternative Approaches” to the use of the media to counter violent extremism, drawing on insights from the “media development” and “media assistance” sectors, and research into whether mass media and new communication interventions can inhibit identity-based violence in certain crisis situations.

From the Executive Summary

The project believes that to successfully incorporate a conflict-sensitive view into regular media practice, journalists should reflect as early as possible upon their roles and responsibilities, before perceptions and attitudes are shaped by the day-to-day work. Through the introduction of conflict- sensitive journalism at the university level as a pre-service training, students are encouraged to examine the concepts and relationships between peace, conflict, and violence while in their formation. The introduction of the framework, therefore, means not to effect radical change but to provide an enhancement of the current journalism training and practice.