Media, Conflict and Peacebuilding
This Center of Innovation focuses on harnessing the power of the media for peacebuilding, and on developing new strategies for countering the abuse of media during conflict.
Media have been both targets and weapons in violent conflict. Seizing the airwaves, broadcasting divisive messages, blocking Internet access and intimidating journalists are just some of the well-known tactics used to ensure control over information and promote violence. Less well developed is the capacity of the media for building peace.
Although there have been many efforts to use different media as peacebuilding tools, there remain huge gaps in our understanding of what works and how to integrate media into conflict management strategies. This Center, headed by Sheldon Himelfarb, seeks to bridge those gaps through systematic analysis and innovative programming. The Center conducts research, develops programming across all forms of media, and promotes cooperation and information sharing among policymakers, experts, media actors, and peacebuilding practitioners.
Recent Center Highlights
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.
USIP Dialogue on Media and Conflict in Iraq Spawns Call for Partnership
May 14-16, 2008 | Conference
The Center recently hosted its first working session abroad in Istanbul in May as a follow-up of the "Iraq and its Neighbors" program. This session, entitled "Beyond Politics: Arab Media and the Iraq Conflict" was conducted as a facilitated dialogue with the aim of developing a regional strategy for combating incitement and promoting peace through the media.
Can Hip Hop Beat Conflict?
April 18, 2008 | Public Event
Hip-hop music is finding its way into zones of conflict around the world. In some cases it promotes tolerance and non-violence and in others it seems to fan the flames of violence. What factors have contributed to hip hop’s appeal among youth in conflict zones? How is it affecting their attitudes toward violence? This panel discussion explored impact of hip-hop culture on conflicts in Sierra Leone, Uganda and the Middle East.
- 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 - This program has been focused on promoting both Arab media and youth dialogue during the Iraq conflict. Recent achievements include:
- Arab Media and the Iraq Conflict: The program recently hosted its first working session abroad in Istanbul in May as follow up of the "Iraq and its Neighbors" program. This session, entitled "Beyond Politics: Arab Media and the Iraq Conflict" was run as a facilitated dialogue with the aim of developing a regional strategy for combating incitement and promoting peace through the media.
- Iraqi Youth Dialogue: This program provided key personnel to facilitate a conference on "Iraqi Youth Dialogue" in Dharamsala, India. This session identified the Internet as the most viable tool available to Iraqi youth for peacebuilding projects given a strict curfew.
- Israel/Palestine -
Jerusalem Stories, a USIP-funded storytelling initiative, featured theater performances about experiences of Jerusalemites and the connection they feel for Jerusalem, and was accompanied by facilitated dialogue and a photo exhibit.
- Developing Innovative Media Strategies for Public Diplomacy
The United States faces an unprecedented public diplomacy challenge amid growing concern that misperceptions of America abroad fuel international terrorism. In partnership with the Independent Television Service (ITVS), the largest funder of independent documentary films in the U.S., the Center will host a leadership summit in February 2009 to consider innovative mechanisms for addressing this challenge. Top media executives, scholars and policymakers from across the globe will convene to discuss the role of international broadcasters and distributors as emerging public diplomacy stakeholders.
- 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. This recently resulted in a 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. The project is expected to culminate in a book published by USIP Press in fall 2009.
- 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.
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USIP specialists by region
