The Liberia Media Center (LMC) as part of activities marking its 5th Anniversary has released a baseline study on how the media in Liberia covers conflict related issues.

The study is part of a broader project supported by UNESCO on "Conflict Sensitive Journalism" under which nearly 60 journalists, mainly community radio practitioners, were trained across the country.

By reviewing newspapers and radio reports over a period of four months, together with a review of some literature, the study attempted to establish the knowledge levels of journalists in conflict coverage.

Further, the study sought to understand the trend of conflict reporting in the Liberian media and how the project could learn from these gaps to tailor a module consistent with realities in the country.

The desk review looked at reports from five newspapers and two of the leading independent and semi-commercial radio stations in Liberia and focused largely on media reports of nonviolent conflict.

The study focused on reports around latent and nonviolent conflicts so as to draw attention and explore better understanding of the threats latent conflicts pose to stability.

"Violent conflicts can easily be described and reported by journalists but non-violent or latent conflicts are rarely reported and written on. The quality of coverage of these issues is equally relevant since they have the potential of developing into violent situations unless efforts are asserted to manage or curtail them in their infancy", the report noted.

The study generally found limited academic and professional written work on conflict sensitive journalism in Liberia, though Search for Common Ground and International Alert conducted two trainings at separate far-apart periods.

From the various reviews and analysis there is huge knowledge gap amongst media practitioners on the subject beyond the everyday usage of the term and basic understanding of its application.

Knowledge level amongst reporters is particularly low, nonetheless the review found an impressive show of reportorial tolerance both in the print and broadcast media.

While media reports have generally improved in the recent years with journalist seeking multiple sides to their stories, there is still work to be done in the area of conflict reporting as it relates to the use of language, nature and style of presentation which are still largely entrenched in the traditional journalistic way of reporting rather than guided by a conflict sensitive approach.

Print and broadcast reports were not destructive and did not intentionally seek to promote violence, however, the skills required to report such issues from a perspective that would promote dialogue and harmony rather than elevate the agenda of competing interests were sometimes lacking.

Most journalists cover conflict related issues not knowing the various dimensions of conflict and how to deal with such situations.

To redress this problem, the study recommends the need for investment in further research in conflict mapping and documentation, especially with emphasis on community radio.

The report calls on media owners and houses to work on developing internal review mechanisms to monitor and assess the quality of their reporting, especially reports covering conflict related issues, to ensure that reporters exercise the required judgment and care in dealing with these issues.

It called for universities already involved with curriculum review processes to consider reviewing alternative modules for mass communication curriculum development as well as encouraged to integrate conflict sensitive journalism modules within the existing curriculum or around related courses already offered.

About LMC

The Liberia Media Center exists as a legally registered non-for-profit media and communication firm that fosters local development through the utilization of communication and information sources.

LMC exists to assist media and civil society with professional services in wide range of areas, including research, training, outreach and mass communication.