Communication and the Culture of Peace in Africa

Abstract

This paper examines the nature and consequences of armed conflicts in Africa, and the responsibility of communication scholars and practitioners in building the culture and infrastructure of peace in the continent. It argues that they have
taken sides on matters concerning ethnic and religious differences, reporting “episodes rather than the entire process of a conflict,” and seriously eroding professional ethics with their “new concept of embedded journalism and instant reporting of warfare.” The paper calls on media practitioners to concentrate on investigating trends, processes, and fundamental factors connected with conflict situations and focus on how to resolve them.