media and conflict in myanmar: opportunities for media to advance peace
5. Multimedia Conflict-Sensitive Reporting
Although training of journalists is the most commonly identified area of need, improving the
quantity and quality of reporting related to ongoing conflict in Myanmar is also important.
Identifying and training reporting teams (one Bamar journalist and one non-Bamar journalist) to collaborate on conflict-sensitive coverage of issues such as human rights violations,
land disputes, and patronage systems could help inform the public on the root causes and
potential solutions related to key conflict issues. This initiative would begin by using print and
online media but could later be customized for radio and television.
Technical elements
Target audience
General population of Myanmar, including ethnic communities
Format
Weekly investigative reports in print and online media
Broadcast components
Brief news report on issues of local and national importance
Interview of guest or guests by program host
Call-in questions to guest or guests from listening audience
Discussion of responses to listener comments
Outreach components
J ointly reported stories produced weekly in Burmese and other ethnic languages; online versions to ensure
broader distribution to ethnic communities in border areas
amar and non-Bamar ethnic journalists interviewed on radio and television as part of coverage to share
B
experiences of joint reporting
op stories developed as documentaries by local peacebuilding organizations to encourage conflict
T
resolution
Conflict-sensitive reporting prizes awarded to the top reporting team
Desired outcomes
Knowledge
Increased practical conflict-sensitive reporting skills among journalists and increased awareness about
problems and solutions relevant to other ethnic groups
Greater citizen understanding about conflict and ethnic violence in Myanmar
itizen awareness of the unique histories and common problems that all ethnic communities in Myanmar
C
face
Attitude
Citizen trust that the information they receive about conflict is credible
elief among all ethnic groups that they are equal partners in Myanmar’s transition, including conflict
B
resolution
onfidence among journalists that they can present accurate information about conflict that will resonate
C
in Myanmar
Decreased sense of threat among government officials for quality conflict-sensitive reporting
Behavior
More balanced reporting on conflict issues media-wide
Less citizen tolerance of discrimination and increased consideration of interethnic solutions to problems
Government peacebuilding groups use conflict-sensitive reporting to further conflict resolution goals
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