The Media and Peace : From Vietnam to the 'War on Terror'

Much is known about the media's role in conflict, but far less is known about the media's role in peace. Graham Spencer's study addresses this deficiency by providing a comparative analysis of reporting conflicts from around the world and examining media receptiveness to the development of peace. This book establishes an argument for the need to rethink journalistic responsibility in relation to peace and interrogates the consequences of news coverage that emphasizes conflict over peace.--Publisher description Cover 1 Contents 8 Acknowledgements 10 Introduction 12 1 News Culture 18 Journalism as field and practice 18 News economy 25 News politics 28 Conclusion 33 2 The Impact of News on Foreign Policy 35 The CNN effect 35 The CNN effect and Somalia 39 Problems with the CNN effect 41 Conclusion 48 3 Diplomacy and Signalling 50 The problem of meaning 53 Symbolism and politics 56 Presentations of the self 60 Conclusion 63 4 Vietnam 66 The political background 67 Vietnam and the media 68 Reporting the anti-war movement 73 Conclusion 79 5 Rwanda and Reporting Africa 82 Historical and political background 83 Radio and genocide 87 Media coverage of Rwanda and reporting Africa 88 Conclusion 96 6 Bosnia and Kosovo 98 The media and Bosnia 102 Kosovo and the media 110 Conclusion 113 7 The Middle East 116 Oslo, secrecy and publicity 116 Reporting negotiations 118 News and peace: a problematic relationship 120 Conclusion 132 8 The Northern Ireland Peace Process 134 Political background 134 News and the peace process 137 Conclusion 151 9 The Gulf War, the 'War on Terror' and Iraq 153 The 'war on terror' 158 Al-Jazeera and propaganda 164 The Iraq War, 2003 168 New media 172 Conclusion 174 10 Peace Journalism 176 Journalism and peace dialogue 176 Paradigm shift 184 A conflict resolution dynamic 189 Conclusion 191 Conclusion 194 Bibliography 206 Index 216 A 216 B 216 C 216 D 217 E 218 F 218 G 218 H 218 I 218 J 219 K 219 L 219 M 219 N 220 O 220 P 221 Q 221 R 221 S 221 T 222 U 222 V 223 W 223 Y 223 Z 223 Graham Spencer's Study Of The Media And Peace Provides A Critical Examination Of News In Relation To A Range Of International Conflicts And Highlights The Social Costs Of Coverage Which Is Obsessed With Conflict Whilst Ignoring Peace. As The First Book Of Its Kind, This Analysis Brings Into Question The Idea Of Journalistic Objectivity And Contends That There Are Moral Reasons Why The Media Should Become Peace Oriented. Acknowledging The Complexity That Exists In The Relationship Between News And Politics. Spencer Draws From Coverage Of Vietnam, Rwanda, Bosnia. The Middle East, Northern Ireland, The 'war On Terror' And Iraq In Order To Argue That Journalists Should Engage More With Those Who Articulate Peace Discourse. Spencer Suggests That Since Peace Is More Socially Desirable Than War, There Should Be A Reversal Of Emphasis In News Reports Away From Voices Of War Towards Voices Of Peace.--jacket. News Culture -- The Impact Of News On Foreign Policy -- Diplomacy And Signalling -- Vietnam -- Rwanda And Reporting Africa -- Bosnia And Kosovo -- The Middle East -- The Northern Ireland Peace Process -- The Gulf War, The War On Terror And Iraq -- Peace Journalism. Graham Spencer. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 195-204) And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-ix Introduction....Pages 1-6 News Culture....Pages 7-23 The Impact of News on Foreign Policy....Pages 24-38 Diplomacy and Signalling....Pages 39-54 Vietnam....Pages 55-70 Rwanda and Reporting Africa....Pages 71-86 Bosnia and Kosovo....Pages 87-104 The Middle East....Pages 105-122 The Northern Ireland Peace Process....Pages 123-141 The Gulf War, the ‘War on Terror’ and Iraq....Pages 142-164 Peace Journalism....Pages 165-182 Conclusion....Pages 183-194 Back Matter....Pages 195-212 Much is known about the media's role in conflict, but far less is known about the media's role in peace. This book addresses it, by providing an analysis of reporting conflicts and examining media receptiveness to the development of peace. It establishes an argument for the need to rethink journalistic responsibility in relation to peace