The COVID-19 pandemic as a challenge for media and communication studies

Abstract

and conflict reduction. Based on the continuous popularization of network technology, modern media has become a powerful tool for creating peace. Peace journalists should also pay attention to the discursive power of mainstream media. Ogenga discusses the lack of public discourse in the mainstream print media in Kenya, the original intention of which was to reduce conflicts. In practice, however, it often brings about a surge in confrontation (Chapter 4). The book introduces the case of using the media to intervene in the conflict in Abakuria in Kenya to acknowledge that the media can both achieve peace and provoke conflict. Establishing media that can respond rapidly to changing conditions is often the best practice for media frameworks (Chapter 5). But there are still some problems with the attainment of the ideal of peace journalism beyond those addressed in this book. First, the realization of peace journalism relies on journalists with good morality and peaceful inclinations. It is difficult for journalists to achieve both objective and fair reporting, and the responsibility to speak out for vulnerable people. At the same time, the government or both sides in a conflict will often mobilize powerful media forces to suppress the community influence of peace journalism and to reduce or eliminate its influence on public opinion. Finally, journalists of peace are not necessarily local to conflict areas. If foreign journalists collect media materials in the name of peace journalism, will they be mistrusted and suspected of interfering in the internal politics of high-conflict countries? Human nature, the trade-off of professional ethics, the evaluation of media power, and the avoidance of political and personal risk should be given priority in future research. Only with love for the media profession and ardent desire to resolve conflicts and seek peace can peace journalists truly help the people of East Africa to live peaceful and stable lives.