An Operational Framework for Media and Peacebuilding - Montreal ...

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Lessons Learned • 21• The willingness of media managers toabsorb and implement the benefits oftraining of their workers is essential.This absorption of media benefitsshould be verified through monitoringof the media following the training.• Project coordination needs to includean exit strategy, preferably built on theself-sustainability of the project.• Message development should be carefullydone: satire can be dangerous.• Interventions should not focus onneeds, but rather focus on identifying,mobilizing, and strengtheningcommunity or local assets.3. GENERAL LESSONS• The faster that journalism codes ofconduct and the state’s mechanisms ofmedia regulation and protection are inplace, the sooner all interests canexperience the rights and obligations ofthe media. Reforming the legallegislativeenvironment has potentialfor long-lasting institutional change.• Media projects should be accompaniedby a monitoring system, to identifyproblems, refine goals and ensurecompliance with any media codes ofconduct. Monitoring results, particularlyof elections and election coverage,should be publicly available.• Nongovernmental organizationsshould, if appropriate, be able to showinvolvement in similar work in theirhome country, to avoid charges ofhypocrisy or condescension.• The willingness of othernongovernmental organizations tocooperate is a significant advantage.Coordination and information-sharingand appropriate distribution of servicesand equipment, is essential.• Language is an essential element. Teammembers should speak the languages usedby the conflicting members of society.• There needs to be a sense of ownershipof programming by the audience itself,in Types Four and Five initiatives. Themedia project must seek to offer whatthe audience wants.• It is crucial to make one’s project astransparent and accessible as possibleto avoid accusations of partisanship.• Reliance on peacekeeping forces orother organizations such as the UnitedNations should be made on a case-bycasebasis. There needs to be sufficientspace to maintain independence at alltimes.• Even in post-conflict environments, themedia will not be perceived as a neutralinterest by all major interests. A broadcoalition of support is essential.• Relations with local authorities need tobe carefully monitored: maintain arespectful if distant relationship inenvironments of hostile authorities. It isbetter to withdraw from a country andset up operations nearby than to bowto unfair or unprincipled demands oflocal authorities.• Poorly paid media workers, vulnerableto bribes and biased reporting, are amajor deterrent to free media.Adequate remuneration and respect forindependent journalism are essential toany project’s sustainability.• In certain situations, it is not possible tointervene, even if desired. Differenttypes of conflict require differentresponses. There is a need to differentiatebetween conflict and violence.
Appendix AMedia InitiativesQUESTIONS THAT WILL HELPDETERMINE THE CONTEXTOF A MEDIA PEACEBUILDINGINTERVENTION1. What is the current situation: conflict,pre- or post-conflict? (A conflictsituation will require more Type Four orFive interventions; pre- and post-conflictinterventions will require more long-termdevelopment program designs fromTypes One to Three.)Explanation: A conflict situation, or theimmediate aftermath of a conflict, willusually not be conducive to long-termdevelopment projects. Immediateobjectives – like elections or humanitarianassistance – usually have greaterpriority and oftentimes are more easilycomplemented by Types Four and Fivemedia inter-ventions. However, muchdepends on partner organizations.Regions hosting a larger internationalpresence can enjoy a number of differentprojects implemented simultaneously. Itis possible for a country to host TypesOne through Five media interventions atthe same time.2. What are the policies of the internationalcommunity? Peacekeeping mission?Does the issue only fall within regionalgeopolitical interests? Are regionalpeacekeepers deployed (sanctioned ornot sanctioned by UN)? Has a full sitecountry and region conflict assessmentbeen done? Are they or are they notaccompanied by official civilian missions?What diplomatic corps resides in thecountry? Have the international mediamobilized public support for assistance?Explanation: It is imperative to determinehow many other, and which,organizations are active in the region andwhether or not your country maintainsdiplomatic representation in the region.The lack of one usually signals anincrease level of risk in implementing anypeacebuilding intervention. Activities ofother organizations will also clarify whatpartnerships can be developed, whatactivities are already being conducted,and the level of international interest inthe region. This will all lend a betterunderstanding of the resources availablefor interventions.QUESTIONS TO ASK INDETERMINING THE TYPEOF MEDIA INITIATIVE3. What is the content of the media? (Youmay find that the government authoritiesallow only a single perception to bebroadcast; that the content of broadcastsor publication vary on locale/warlordswithin a single region; or that a varietyof opinions are made available to thepublic. You may also find that all newsis presented through a nationalized lens,or any other spin that incites furtherdivisions in that particular society.)How does the media define coverage?Explanation: Analysis of the content will22
Page 1 and 2: INSTITUTE for MEDIA, POLICY and CIV
Page 3 and 4: National Library of Canada Catalogu
Page 6 and 7: IntroductionThe media is a double-e
Page 8 and 9: The ContextJohn SylvesterA PROVISOT
Page 10 and 11: The Context • 5WHAT IS PEACEBUILD
Page 12: Analyzing the Conflict Environment
Page 15 and 16: A Typology of Media InterventionsJa
Page 17 and 18: Key ConsiderationsStages of conflic
Page 19 and 20: 14 • AN OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR
Page 25: Lessons Learned1. FOR DONORS• Don
Page 31 and 32: Appendix CResourcesAvailable on the
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