Role of Media in Reporting International Conflict Situations

 

Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land is a 2004 documentary by Sut Jhally and Bathsheba Ratzkoff showcases a striking visual of U.S. and international media coverage of the crisis in the Middle East. This significant documentary exposes how the foreign policy interests of American politicians work hand in hand, with Israeli public relations strategies to exercise a powerful influence over how news from the region is reported.

Through the voices of scholars, media critics, peace activists, and Middle East experts, the documentary film – Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land explains that how, through the use of language, framing and context--the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza remains hidden in the news media. It also explores the ways that U.S. journalists have become complicit in carrying out Israel's PR campaign and all in all, the documentary raises questions about the ethics and role of journalism, and the relationship between media and politics.

 Media plays a key role in conflicts in today’s world. Either the media takes an active part in the conflict and has responsibility for increased violence, or stays independent and out of the conflict, thereby contributing to the resolution of conflict. Which role the media takes in a given conflict and its aftermath, depends on few factors including the relationship the media has with the entities in the conflict and the independence the media has to the power holders in the region.

Mainstream media in particular tend to focus on dramatic and violent events. The tendency to focus on violence and conflict, and to further sensationalize violent events distorts the public's perceptions of the situation. In recent times, the Indian mass have witnessed this clearly during the CAA-NRC protests and lately, the coverage of the farmer’s strike. Partial reporting and disseminating misinformation were seen during the coverage of Delhi riots and also, during the investigation of Sushant Singh Rajput’s unforeseen death.

During that time, we saw more than a few suicides that got reported every day — of a farmer who was not able to make ends meet, a migrant who was struggling —but, most Indian news media channels were only concerned about only one suicide. We saw how, in the area of conflict resolution, media can really play a major role in enlightening the public opinion and in helping people take cognisance of the need for peace.

While there are many independent journalists and a few news media houses who are doing their job right and working hard in good faith of the nation, a majority of the population is falling to the mainstream media’s rat-trap.