The results of the present work seek to clarify the question in what ways does the phenomenon of social media change how we have defined, explored, and implemented peace journalism thus far? For only when it is apparent how seriously this new reality affects the concept of peace journalism and its practical implementation will the need for further research also become clear.
Peace journalism plays a role and has the potential to sensibilize people to conflicts, to have a de-escalating effect and thus ultimately to promote peace. The ideas behind the concept of peace journalism gained importance primarily through the articles of Johann Galtung in the 1960s. Initially formulated as a theory, the ideas found increased application in practice in the 1990s, were implemented by journalists and is nowadays a firmly established, if not uncontroversial, subfield in journalism.
Despite its potential, peace journalism is not a miracle cure. The concept has its limits of effectiveness and applicability and misapplied, may do more harm than good. Peace journalism has an impact on the readership and is no less popular than so-called war journalism, but it reaches people especially if they are not hardliners who have already established a war frame of the situation. Peace journalism will therefor never be able to transform an entire society but can make a start with certain people at certain times, from where the idea can spread and possibly become established and have long-term effects.
However, it is noticeable that the idea of peace journalism as currently formulated is becoming increasingly irrelevant in practice due to the changing media landscape, namely the technologies of social media. Research that aims to advance peace journalism must therefore first and foremost examine social media, their modes of action, their functions, their respective audiences, their potential and their dangers.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Theoretical Framework
2.1 Social Media: Emergence and Definition
2.2 Peace Journalism: Origin and Development
2.2.1 Definition
2.2.2 State of Research
2.2.3 Criticism and its Counterarguments
3 Method: Applied Systematic Literature Review
4 Results and Analysis of the Literature
4.1 Comparative Analysis of the Formal Criteria
4.2 Comparative Analysis of the Content Aspects
5 Discussion
5.1 Content-related Aspects
5.1.1 Research Gap or Limitations of the present Study?
5.1.2 Impeding Effects of Social Media on Conflict Reporting
5.1.3 Beneficial Impacts of Social Media on Conflict Reporting
5.1.4 Influence of Social Media on PJ
5.2 Significance of the Results for Future Research
6 Conclusion
Research Objective and Core Themes
The primary objective of this research is to investigate how the emergence of social media has influenced the field of Peace Journalism (PJ), challenging traditional definitions and implementation strategies in a media landscape no longer dominated exclusively by professional newsrooms.
- The current relevance of Peace Journalism in the era of digital networking.
- The operational shift from professional media production to decentralized citizen participation.
- The dual impact of social media: facilitating global connectivity versus fostering polarization and misinformation.
- The urgent necessity for updated conceptual frameworks that integrate modern media technologies into conflict reporting.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2 Peace Journalism: Origin and Development
Alfred Hermann Fried is considered the first official peace journalist. As early as 1901, he set out what he understood by PJ in a book he published, thus coining the term. Fried was a journalist and editor, the only German speaker at the turn of the century to report from peace conferences and congresses of the peace movement and was eventually honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1911 for his work and for demonstrating the necessity and possibilities of PJ. According to his understanding, it was the task of PJ to counter the chauvinism of the time, to expose fake news and to win the press in general for the perspective of peace in its reporting. (Grünewald, 2018; Rottmann, 2021)
The United Nations was also quick to recognize the importance of the media's role in peace efforts. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 among others emphasizes the media's mandate for peace. The UNESCO Media Declaration of 1978 is even more specific about the role of the mass media in strengthening peace and understanding. The United Nations with its sub-organizations, departments and mandates therefore has the legitimacy, but also the capability and structure, to intervene in conflicts with targeted media interventions (Bonde, 2006, p. 1). However, the fact that the media peace mandate is legally anchored in international law does not automatically mean that it will also be successfully implemented.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter contextualizes Peace Journalism amidst diverse media practices and identifies the research gap regarding its adaptation to social media environments.
2 Theoretical Framework: This section defines key terms like "social media" and "Peace Journalism," tracing the development of PJ from early theory to its current state and associated criticisms.
3 Method: Applied Systematic Literature Review: The chapter details the systematic approach used to curate and analyze eleven relevant articles across three academic databases to ensure scientific rigor.
4 Results and Analysis of the Literature: This part offers a comparative analysis of selected studies, examining both formal publication criteria and the central content themes uncovered.
5 Discussion: Researchers discuss the identified knowledge gaps, analyze the impeding and beneficial effects of social media on reporting, and explore implications for future study.
6 Conclusion: The work concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for a modernized PJ framework that accounts for the reality of contemporary communication technologies.
Keywords
Peace Journalism, PJ, social media, conflict reporting, peacebuilding, digital communication, user-generated content, media mediation, conflict transformation, communication studies, Global South, literature review, information ethics, news framing, Web 2.0
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The work examines the intersection of Peace Journalism and the digital media landscape, focusing on how social media technologies affect traditional conflict reporting practices and models.
What are the central thematic fields addressed in the analysis?
The paper covers the historical roots of Peace Journalism, the evolution of social media, the research gap in modern media studies, and the dual nature of social networks as both channels for peacebuilding and facilitators of polarization.
What is the core research question of this thesis?
The study seeks to clarify if and how the phenomenon of social media changes the ways in which we have defined, researched, and implemented Peace Journalism until now.
Which methodology is employed in this thesis?
The author uses a systematic literature review, screening eleven peer-reviewed contributions from three academic databases (SocINDEX, Clarivate, and BASE) to synthesize current knowledge.
What topics are analyzed in the main body (Discussion) of the paper?
The main body focuses on the limitations of existing research, the impeding effects (misinformation/extremism) versus the beneficial impacts (connectivity/marginalized voices) of social media, and the specific influence these tools have on the future of PJ.
Which specific keywords define this study?
The core keywords include Peace Journalism, social media, conflict reporting, communication studies, digital mediation, and global conflict transformation.
What is the significance of the distinction between Galtung and Kempf’s models?
While Galtung emphasizes a structural conflict-theory approach, Kempf introduces a social-psychological, mediative model, which the author adopts to explain how media can help conflict parties resolve issues without becoming biased activists.
How does the author view the impact of social media on marginalized voices?
The research concludes that social media enables marginalized individuals—particularly in the Global South—to bypass traditional media censorship, share their own stories, and participate in global discourses that were previously restricted.
Does the author suggest that Peace Journalism can replace traditional journalism?
No, the author argues that Peace Journalism is not a miracle cure, but an important instrument that is most effective when applied in moderate conflict phases to reduce communication barriers.
- Quote paper
- Isabel Thoma (Author), 2022, Peace Journalism. Impact of social media on the field of research on peace journalism, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1284674
