Media, Conflict and Peacebuilding

FACT SHEET

Download the Fact Sheet for the Center of Innovation for Media, Conflict, and Peacebuilding

RECENT CENTER HIGHLIGHTS

Media as Global Diplomat, moderated by Ted Koppel
February 3, 2009 | Conference
The Center joined the Independent Television Service (ITVS) to convene Media as Global Diplomat, a day-long conference that brought together many of the top thinkers in U.S. public diplomacy and strategic communication with independent film and media producers to identify innovative paths forward in the increasingly important effort to improve mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through communication and media. An online archive of the event was created to serve as a valuable resource for the day’s events. Users can watch video of the entire day’s proceedings, as well as review supporting materials and other information.
Go View the Online Archive
Watch on YouTube

Blogs and Bullets:  The Power of Online Media in Preventing or Igniting Violent Conflict
January 9, 2009 | Conference
In conjunction with the Center of Innovation for Science, Technology, and Peacebuilding, the Center hosted a panel at USIP’s Passing the Baton event that examined how online discourse and digital communities are being used to promote violent conflict in some circumstances and to prevent conflict in others. 
Go View the Online Archive
Watch on YouTube

Media, Conflict Prevention, and Peacebuilding: Mapping the Edges Seminar
June 25, 2008 | Workshop
In coordination with the Alliance for Peacebuilding, USIP recently hosted a two-day workshop to develop a common strategic framework for aiding in the design of practical peacebuilding media and to facilitate consistent integration of media planning with broader conflict management strategies.
Go Read the USIPeace Briefing

WORK IN ZONES OF CONFLICT

Afghanistan- USIP has been working with the University of Peshawar's Department of Journalism in training local and regional newspaper and radio correspondents, their editors, media outlet owners, and bloggers in both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Iraq–  The Center is continuing work on three projects:

• Peace Media for Iraqi Youth
        The Center is working with in-country Iraqi media and youth leaders to assist in the design and production of carefully researched multi-media peacebuilding program and curriculum.  An expert working group composed of Iraqi educators, media and conflict resolution specialists will be convened in late April to determine the overall framework and educational goals. This event will be followed by a two-day youth summit in Iraq for up to 50 young Iraqi leaders scheduled for July 2009. The youth will design the program format and content, to be followed by the production of a pilot television program and social networking website.

• Preventing Media Incitement:
        The May 2008 Istanbul Declaration (add link to declaration) called for renewed focus on preventing incitement in the Iraqi media. In order to provide baseline research on the level and nature of hate speech in the media, the Center is commissioning a media monitoring study by an Iraqi research organization.  Additionally, the Center is formulating a two-track (regulatory and non-regulatory) strategy to address media incitement in Iraq by bringing media regulation experts with experience in conflict-affected countries to participate in a forum (scheduled for August 2009) with Iraqi media regulatory officials and private-sector Iraqi media figures.

• Engaging Regional Arab Media in Reporting on Conflict
        The Center is currently identifying and actively engaging with regional Arab media actors in order to reach consensus on how to reduce the bias in reporting on Iraq and other regional conflicts. Such bias has been identified as an obstacle to peacebuilding efforts.  In mid-May, Sheldon Himelfarb and Theo Dolan will travel to the Middle East to meet with key Arab media stakeholders on an individual basis to build trust networks. Based on these meetings, a steering committee of regional Arab media will participate in a forum (scheduled for September 2009) with Iraqi media in order to discussed shared professional standards and to create a set of guidelines for reporting on conflict in the Middle East.

CURRENT PROJECTS

Media and Conflict: A Strategic Framework -  The Center has initiated a two-year project to develop a strategic framework for media interventions throughout the conflict cycle. The framework will explore areas identified during the earlier two-day seminar at USIP entitled "Media, Conflict Prevention, and Peacebuilding: Mapping the Edges Seminar," which brought together scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to discuss the draft framework and provide feedback.

Assessing the Media Landscape in Conflict - The Center has initiatied a project to produce guidelines and a template for Assessment of the Media Landscape in Conflict Situations. A longtime concern of practitioners and donors alike, this template will offer a clear and concise process for evaluating the range of opportunities and challenges in producing peacebuilding programming in fragile states—providing a critical connection between integrating strategic media pprogramming with peacebuilding planning.
 
Facilitating Cooperation Among Media, Conflict and Peacebuilding Stakeholders - The Center regularly convenes a working group of scholars, practitioners, policymakers, journalists and donors in the Washington, DC area to analyze substantive and timely issues relating to the field of media, conflict and peacebuilding. USIPeace Briefings are published after each session and made available on the USIP website.